Gabriel Ogunjobi –
Human Rights Non-Governmental Organisation, Amnesty International, has expressed concerns over what it called sponsored protest against its activities in Nigeria.
On its official Twitter page, @AmnestyNigeria, the organisation traced a timeline of such protest in recent years.
https://twitter.com/AmnestyNigeria/status/1003564713404518401
AI’s curiosity may not be unconnected to a report it published in May detailing how Nigerian security forces rape thousands of women and girls who escaped from the brutal rule of Boko Haram insurgents, and killing many people who refused to be moved from territories rescued from the insurgents.
The presidency and Nigerian Army frowned at the report with the army calling for the expulsion of the group it called an ‘enemy.’
“In the armed forces, we maintain that we do not condone rape and do not have rapists among us. The military has several measures in place to regulate the conduct of troops and to define their relationships with members of their host communities.
“Amnesty International has not only positioned itself as an enemy of the Nigerian Army but the country as a whole,’’ the Army had said in a statement.
On its Twitter on Monday, AI alleged protesters calling for their expulsion are sponsored.
The organisation flashed back to a similar protest in 2017 where protesters were ‘paid off’ N1400.’
AI wrote, ‘Enough is Enough. Amnesty International wants to turn Nigeria into Abbatoir. Leave Nigeria now’ costomzied jerseys were caught receiving notes of N500 notes.
“A year ago, in March 2017 sponsored protesters invaded our office in Abuja for two days. They barred us from moving in and out. At the end of each day of protest they congregate at Unity Fountain and paid the protesters N1400 each. Who is sponsoring them?”
“Whenever we released a report on violation of the rights of Nigerians – seeking justice through impartial investigation – our office is invaded by sponsored protesters. Who is sponsoring them? Who paid them?” AI questioned.
The organisation did not state who the alleged sponsors are.
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