By Emmanuel Obisue
Nigerian Defence Headquarters, DHQ, on Friday issued a stern response to Amnesty International’s 29 May 2025 Report, which accused the country’s security forces of failing to address worsening insecurity and humanitarian crises.
In a detailed counterstatement, DHQ described Amnesty’s figures and conclusions as “exaggerated, misleading, and disconnected from ground realities”.
The military emphasized that Amnesty’s portrayal lacked context and ignored significant operational successes, especially since President Bola Tinubu took office in May 2023. “While civil society has a role in holding institutions accountable, broad generalizations devoid of verified data only distort public perception,” the statement read.
Major General Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, underscored that more than 5,000 insurgents and bandits have been neutralized in various operations. “Over 1,200 abducted civilians have been rescued, including women and children. We’ve restored civil authority in hundreds of communities across the North and continue to protect citizens through 24/7 deployments,” Kangye stated.
The DHQ rejected Amnesty’s claim that 10,217 people have been killed nationwide and 2,630 in Plateau State alone, calling the numbers “a concoction of falsehood.” Officials pointed out that after a troop reorganization in July 2023, Plateau State witnessed notable improvement, with only a few isolated attacks recorded since.
Similarly, the military challenged allegations regarding mass displacement and control of villages by armed groups in states like Zamfara and Benue. “Contrary to the narrative of collapse, we’ve carried out over 2,000 offensive operations in Zamfara alone and neutralized hundreds of terrorist kingpins,” the DHQ revealed.
On Benue State, DHQ called Amnesty’s figure of nearly 7,000 deaths and 450,000 displaced “alarmist,” affirming that only 693 casualties were verified, including 23 military personnel. “IDP camps are largely empty, and people return only when relief materials are expected,” the military noted.
In closing, DHQ reaffirmed its commitment to human rights and transparency. “Allegations of misconduct are taken seriously and prosecuted when confirmed. However, disinformation erodes public trust and discredits genuine progress,” Kangye stressed.
The Armed Forces reiterated a call for more constructive, evidence-based collaboration from international organizations. “Security challenges are real, but so are our victories. We need support, not sabotage”.
