Some protesters have besieged the Abuja office of Amnesty
International, asking the rights watchdog to leave Nigeria.
The protesters arrived at the office located at Maitama at
about 12pm on Tuesday and barricaded the road leading to the entrance.
They expressed solidarity with the federal government in
songs, while preventing entry and exit into the office premises.
They accused the organisation of fuelling insecurity in
Nigeria and unduly interfering in the affairs of the country.
“You are the wheel behind Boko Haram, IMN, IPOB and ISWAP”,
one of their placards said. Others read: “Amnesty International bury your head
in shame,” “Leave now or we will force you to leave.”
Below is a video of the protest which AI shared via its
Twitter handle.
On going protest at our office, #Abuja; pic.twitter.com/QEwZm7ry5B— Amnesty Int. Nigeria (@AmnestyNigeria) February 11, 2020
SECOND PROTEST IN SIX MONTHS
About six months ago, a similar protest was held at the
group’s office, with aggrieved persons also asking them to vacate the country.
They alleged the human rights group was taking sides with
the opposition, and was “attempting to
destabilise Nigeria”.
The organisation said the protests were “sponsored”, and
that they are “not affiliated to any interests, political, religious or
commercial”.
Isa Sanusi, AI spokesman, had said in a statement: “Despite
sponsored protests, we will not stay silent. In the face of efforts to evade
responsibility or to smear our organization, we will continue to raise our
voices whenever and wherever we see injustice, sexual abuse, discrimination
against women, or any other violations of human rights in Nigeria.”
Who are these sponsored protesters? Go and tell the government to do things right so we can lie in peace
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