AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

The origins of amnesty in Nigeria date back to the 1960s, when the federal government granted amnesty to rebels who surrendered during the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970)¹. This move was aimed to promote national reconciliation and stability. In 2009, President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua introduced the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) to address the Niger Delta crisis². The program aimed to reintegrate militants through training, education, job placement and social support stipends. The PAP was a significant step towards addressing the region's grievances. Despite the PAP's successes, human rights concerns persist in Nigeria. Amnesty International has raised concerns about excessive force, torture, forced evictions, climate change impact, enforced disappearances and sexual and gender-based violence³. These issues underscore the need for sustained efforts to protect human rights. Amnesty International has been actively engaged in Nigeria since the 1970s. The organization has taken various actions, including Urgent Actions, research reports and campaigns to address human rights abuses and promote accountability⁴