Is Amnesty International (AI) the newest opposition party in Nigeria, given its propensity for fake news, hate speeches and constantly disparaging the efforts of the Nigerian Government, especially in the fight against Boko Haram in the North-East.
The Buhari Media Organisation(BMO) raised this poser in reaction to AI’s latest report that Boko Haram attacked Rann town in Borno state and killed 60 people. In the same report, Amnesty International also claimed that the terrorists’ attack was carried out following the withdrawal of Nigerian troops from their location the previous day.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, the group said following the clarifications from the Theatre Command of Operation Lafiya Dole, “we are constrained to further debunk the false information emanating from AI regarding a non-existent attack on Rann by the Boko Haram terrorists.
Going by the release of that unverified, invidious information and data by Amnesty International, it is obvious that AI is engaging in insidious propaganda aimed at causing panic and apprehension among the populace.”
BMO also noted that the nebulous report of Amnesty International on Rann has a tinge of the religious biases and inclination of one of its arrowheads, one Auwal Rafsanjani who is a member of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), “and is clearly using the international organisation as a front to fight the Federal Government and denigrate the Nigerian military with periodic false alarm of Boko Haram ‘victories’ over Nigerian troops. Their claim is far from the truth and the true situation of things on the ground.
“Contrary to their reports, the Nigerian military is containing the situation in Borno and the North-East in general as can be seen in the drastic reduction in terrorists’ attacks in the North-East and in the country generally. This is a departure from the past when Boko Haram occupied territories and bombed public places at will.”
BMO therefore urged Amnesty International to desist from raising false alarm or releasing unverified reports about terrorists’ attacks as this serves only the purpose of raising the morale of the terrorists to continue their nefarious activities.