Prioritise human rights discussions, Amnesty tells Blinken ahead of Nigeria visit

Amnesty International, a non-governmental organisation, has asked Antony Blinken, US secretary of state, to prioritise discussion on human rights violations during his visit to Nigeria. 

The US secretary of state is expected to visit Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Angola from January 21 to 26.

In a statement on Saturday, Kate Hixon, Amnesty’s Africa advocacy director, said Blinken’s visit to Nigeria is an opportunity for the US to persuade President Bola Tinubu to “ensure justice and accountability for civilians harmed by armed groups.”

The group cited the recent killings in the country, particularly the attack on two communities in Plateau state, where over 115 persons were confirmed dead.

“The Nigerian military has repeatedly harmed civilians with little accountability, particularly during airstrikes while fighting armed militias. Secretary Blinken must press for investigations and accountability for all civilian deaths caused by the military,” the statement reads.

“As we saw during the recent Christmas Eve attack in Plateau State, the Tinubu government is failing on its promise to protect civilians. Secretary Blinken must urge President Tinubu to do more than issue statements and actually ensure justice and accountability for civilians harmed by armed groups. The Nigerian government must do this without further harming civilians in its response.”

On his part, Isa Sanusi, the NGO’s executive director in Nigeria, said Blinken should also raise with the president the issue of harassment of journalists and activists by the state security agencies.

“Secretary Blinken must also press for the immediate release of the remaining EndSARS protestors who continue to be detained years after their protests without due process or even a trial,” he said.

“In Nigeria, it is imperative that Secretary Blinken raise the ongoing harassment of human rights defenders and journalists, such as Omoyele Sowore, who is facing flawed charges solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression. As Amnesty Nigeria outlines in its human rights agenda.

“Secretary Blinken must also press for the release of Mubarak Bala, Yahaya Aminu-Sharif, and Ismaila Sani Isah, currently in jail for blasphemy accusations. Charges related to blasphemy against Rhoda Jatau must also be dropped unconditionally.”