Amnesty International accused the Nigerian authorities of fuelling a conflict between farmers and herders by failing to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of the violence.

According to Amnesty International, in the past three years, more than 3,500 people have been killed in this series of violence, which mainly involves people clashing around land dedicated to agriculture on one side and the other, access to pasture for livestock.

The NGO accuses the army of being slow to react to the clashes while it was near the areas where the attacks took place and often lasted hours.

The Nigerian military says the report is biased and accused Amnesty International of trying to “destabilize” and “dismember” Nigeria.

The statement from Facebook page:

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL (NIGERIA) IS WORKING HARD TO DESTABILISE NIGERIA

The Nigerian branch of Amnesty International that has hitherto been well respected has deviated from the core values, principles and objectives of the original Amnesty International domiciled in the United Kingdom. There is credible information that the Nigerian branch of the International Non-governmental Organisation is determined to destabilise the Nigerian nation.

This is noted through fabrication of fictitious allegations of alleged human rights abuses against the Nigerian security forces and clandestine sponsorship of dissedent groups to protest, as well as unfounded allegations against the leadership of the Nigerian military. They have tried over the years using Boko Haram terrorists conflicts, Islamic Movement in Nigeria, some activists and now herders-farmers conflicts.

The NGO is at the verge of releasing yet another concorted report against the military, ostensibly against the Nigerian Army. Consequently, Nigerians should be wary of Amnesty International (Nigeria) because it’s goals are to destabilise Nigeria and to dismember it. The Nigerian Army has no option than to call for the closure of Amnesty International offices in Nigeria, if such recklessness continues.

You are please requested to disseminate this information to the public through your medium.

Thank you for your kind information.

SANI KUKASHEKA USMAN

Brigadier General

Director Army Public Relations

17th December 2018