A civil society organisation based in Jos, the Plateau State capital, has strongly criticised Amnesty International’s recent report on killings in the state, accusing the global watchdog of releasing inflated figures and ignoring the realities on the ground.

The Coalition for Peace and Security Monitoring in Nigeria (CPSMN), in a statement issued on Monday and signed by its Executive Director, John Bulus, described Amnesty’s claims as “grossly exaggerated, misleading, and detached from reality”.

The report, which alleged that over 1,300 people were killed within three months in Plateau State, has sparked controversy. CPSMN dismissed the figure as “outrageous and unverified”, questioning the basis of the claim and the methodology used in gathering the data.

“We strongly reject the distorted narrative pushed by Amnesty International,” Bulus stated. “Their claim that 1,336 people were killed in three months is completely unsubstantiated. Where is their evidence? Who verified these numbers?”

Bulus said CPSMN has maintained a presence in Zikke village and other affected parts of Bassa Local Government Area, engaging directly with survivors, traditional leaders, and security operatives.

“While we mourn the lives lost in Zikke and elsewhere, we cannot remain silent as a foreign NGO with no physical presence here sensationalises our pain for headlines,” the statement read.

He commended the efforts of the federal and Plateau State governments, noting that coordinated operations involving the military, police, and local vigilante groups have reduced the frequency and scale of attacks in recent months.

“It is both irresponsible and dangerous for Amnesty to dismiss ongoing peace-building efforts and portray the region as lawless. Our communities are not abandoned — they are under protection,” he said.

Reacting to Amnesty’s call for independent investigations, Bulus said such calls lack credibility when, in his view, the organisation repeatedly ignores domestic efforts aimed at justice and reconciliation.

“We challenge Amnesty to release the names, dates, and locations of the alleged 1,336 victims. Until then, their report remains an unverified, sensational portrayal of the situation in Plateau State.”

The group urged the international community to support local initiatives and not be swayed by what it described as “reckless propaganda”.

“Nigeria needs partners, not provokers. The people of Plateau State deserve support, not fear-mongering,” the statement concluded.