The African Commission on Human and People Rights (ACHPR) has urged the government to review and repeal provisions of cybercrime, defamation, and insult laws that are inconsistent with regional and international standards on freedom of expression and media freedom, and put an end to arbitrary arrests and intimidation of journalists, bloggers, and civic actors.

In its “Inter-Session Activity Report,” covering the period between October 2025 and May 2026, presented at the 87th Ordinary Session of the Commission held in Banjul, The Gambia, the Commission’s Working Group on Extractive Industries, Environment and Human Rights Violations noted that, “review of the human rights situation in Nigeria during the intersession period highlights a concerning trend characterised by protracted insecurity, violations that at times involve mass atrocities committed by both state and non-state actors, and significant threats to fundamental freedoms.”

Presenting the report, the Group’s Chairperson, Dr. Solomon Ayele Dersso, said: “I remain deeply concerned about the worsening security situation in Nigeria, marked by persistent killings and the targeting of civilians. Recent incidents highlight a troubling pattern of violence by armed groups, bandits and armed militias, with communities in several regions facing mass killings, abductions, and indiscriminate attacks, including attacks on schools and the abduction of school children.”

He also expressed concern over “reports of civilians caught in military airstrikes, including deadly incidents at markets and populated areas, which underscore serious concerns regarding the protection of civilians and accountability in the planning and execution of security operations by the armed forces of Nigeria.”

Dersso added he was also troubled by “the arrest of journalists for alleged violations of cybercrime laws, including defamation for exposing political crises in the country,”

He added such acts not only threaten civic freedom but also endangers the right to be free from arbitrary deprivation of liberty and the right to due process of the law.”

To this end, he called on the government to urgently adopt a comprehensive and human rights-based national security strategy to address terrorism, banditry and kidnappings.