The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed the Amnesty International’s report of mounting death toll and looming humanitarian crisis as concocted to discredit military efforts in ensuring protection of citizens across the country.
Amnesty International had on 29 May 2025, released a report titled “Nigeria: Mounting death toll and looming humanitarian crisis amid unchecked attacks by armed groups”.
The report claimed that 10,217 persons were killed in Nigeria from 29 May 2023 to date, adding that 2,630 deaths were recorded in Plateau State alone.
Responding to the resport, Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye on Friday, questioned the AI methodology and sources of such a staggering statistics.
“DHQ is not aware of the source of Amnesty international statistics which are inaccurate. It is therefore very sad and unfortunate that reputable organisation such as Amnesty International could produce such humongous figures purposely to discredit the Nigerian military,” Kangye said.
He reiterated the military high Command’s strong reservations about the sweeping generalisations, lack of contextual depth, and the failure of the statement to recognise the monumental strides made by the Armed Forces of Nigeria under the current administration.
Kangye added that the statement painted a bleak and generalised picture of national insecurity, largely ignoring the asymmetric and evolving nature of modern threats, especially those rooted in decades of socio-political and economic complexities.
According to Kangye, while there were undeniable challenges in specific regions, “DHQ strongly refutes the implication that the military has been absent or inactive in the face of these threats”.
He added that since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, the DHQ working under the renewed strategic direction of the Commander-in-Chief, has achieved significant milestones in degrading terrorist networks, disrupting criminal syndicates, and restoring civil authority across many volatile regions.
He listed some of the achievements as the killing of over 5,000 insurgents and bandits across multiple theatres of operation, including the North-East, North-West, and North-Central.
Kangye added that dozens of high-value terrorist commanders were equally apprehended or neutralised through precision strikes and coordinated intelligence-driven operations.
He stressed that military efforts have led to “recovery of over 350 communities and villages previously under the control of terrorists and bandits, particularly in Borno, Niger, Zamfara, and Katsina States”.
General Kangye noted that the sustained presence of troops in areas such as Maru in Zamfara, Bokkos in Plateau, and Logo in Benue states has also enabled displaced persons to begin returning home under military protection.
The statement further noted that the military within the period, rescued over 1,200 abducted civilians, including women and children, many of whom were kidnapped in mass abduction incidents, adding that several notorious kidnapping syndicates have been dismantled.
Relatedly, General Kangye said the Nigerian Air Force has conducted over 500 successful air interdictions, close air support among other operations while significantly degrading the movement and logistics capability of armed groups.
He also dismissed the accusation of impunity by the military as unfounded, “DHQ prosecutes erring personnel by convening court-martials at intervals to handle all reported infringements. HQ 8 Div has also set up Report Desk and emergency numbers to ensure transparency in the conduct of its operations.
“So far, all cases reported were given needed attention and were treated. All arrested criminal collaborators, suspects were handed over to DSS and NPF as well as civil authorities depending on the nature of the case,” he said.
General Kangye said the Amnesty International’s data quoted in the report does not reflect the actual situation in Plateau, Benue, Katsina and Zamfara Sates.
“Therefore, the allegation of killing of 2,630 persons in Plateau State in the last 2 years is a concoction of falsehood in pursuant of self-serving agenda,” he asserted.
The director added that following the reorganisation of deployments and conduct of broad-spectrum subsidiary operations in Plateau State from July 2023, the state has witnessed continuous improvement until the coordinated attacks in some communities in Bokkos and Bassa LGAs of Plateau State on 2 and 14 Apr 25.
“The period covered in the press release did not record coordinated attacks on communities except for the Christmas Eve 2023 and the recent security breaches in Bokkos and Bassa LGAs of Plateau State,” the defense headquarters said.
Similarly, Kangye faulted Amnesty International’s report on insecurity in North-West region, especially in Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi and Katsina, insisting they were exaggerated and not fully reflective of ground realities.
“The report rightly underscores the complexity and severity of the security challenges in the North-West, particularly those posed by bandits and other non-state actors.
“However, it falls short in reflecting the multi-pronged countermeasures, ongoing sacrifices by security forces, and tangible gains recorded in degrading terrorist and bandit networks,” he said.
Continuing, General Kangye said “while Amnesty International emphasises figures and narratives of failure, it fails to contextualise the efforts, operational constraints, community dynamics, and collaboration among stakeholders currently shaping the battle space”.
On Zamfara, he said most of the areas mentioned in the report have seen active military presence and restoration of civil authority.
“In the last 24 months, troops have neutralised over 47 bandit kingpins operating within Zamfara. Our troops have conducted over 2,000 deliberate offensive operations within this period.”
He added that troops also rescued 687 abductees, rescued numerous livestock, destroyed hundreds of bandit camps and killed over 1,500-foot soldiers and kingpins, while over 200 collaborators have been arrested.
In Sokoto State, he said contrary to the claims in the report, the Lakurawa group was currently under active targeting and disruption via intelligence-led operations.
In the same vein, in Kebbi State the defense Spokesman said, contrary to Amnesty International’s report, the military recorded only 11 major incidents between May 2024 and 2025, with quick response interventions reducing casualty rates.
Furthermore in Katsina, he said attacks reduced significantly due to active troop’s patrols, ambush ops, and better intel fusion with locals.
“Just a few days ago on 23 May 2025, 21 bandits were neutralised during an ongoing offensive operation in the Ruwan Godiya community. Deliberate offensive operations to bandits’ enclaves are ongoing in the state. The Land Component, working with Air Component and DSS, has arrested 77 key informants and collaborators who aid bandit logistics within Faskari, Batsari, and Dan Musa LGAs”.
Similarly in Benue State, he said contrary to AI claims, only seven local governments recorded such attacks.
He said “out of the 23 LGAs in Benue State, only 7 mentioned including Kwande LGA are epicenters of crisis in the State.
“The remaining 15 LGAs are relatively peaceful and quiet. From records available to DHQ, a total of 693 people have been killed in Benue State while 23 own personnel were killed within the period reviewed by the organisation and not as claimed. On IDPs claim, it is necessary to state that almost all the camps in Benue State are near empty. People only populate the camps once they get a hint on eminent distribution of relief materials”.
The Defense Headquarters unequivocally stated that Amnesty International has been observed lately to be making wrong feedbacks with factual errors, public misinformation and erosion of trust in media and the general populace.
General Kangye reiterated the commitment of the military in upholding human rights and international humanitarian law.
“Allegations of misconduct are taken seriously and are investigated through established military and judicial processes. It is, however, unacceptable to generalize isolated failures or lapses as institutional policy,” he said.
He restated the commitment of the Armed Forces to protecting all citizens, restoring peace, and safeguarding the territorial integrity of the nation.
He stressed that “constructive engagement is welcomed, but disinformation or alarmist narratives undermine both local and international efforts to achieve enduring peace.”
The DHQ encouraged Amnesty International to engage more meaningfully with stakeholders, including the military to develop nuanced, data-driven insights that support national security and humanitarian efforts without undermining the sacrifices of those in the frontlines.
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