The Unity Advocacy Group (UAG) has called on Nigerians to exercise restraint following reports attributed to Amnesty International alleging that about 150 members of the Fulani community, including children, died in a military-controlled detention facility in Kwara State.
The group said the claim, which has gained traction on social media, remains unverified and should not be treated as established fact pending proper investigation and confirmation by relevant authorities.
UAG Convener, Ifeanyi Aigbedion, noted that the Nigerian Armed Forces have a longstanding record of professionalism and adherence to human rights standards, both in domestic operations and international peacekeeping missions under the United Nations, African Union and ECOWAS.
He warned that the circulation of sensitive and unconfirmed reports could inflame ethnic tensions and undermine national cohesion at a critical time.
“While allegations of this nature are serious and deserve attention, they must be subjected to thorough, transparent and independent investigation through appropriate legal and institutional channels,” Aigbedion said.
The group cautioned against narratives that could unfairly generalise or mischaracterise security institutions based on unverified claims, stressing the importance of balance and factual accuracy.
UAG also urged relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive and transparent probe into the allegations and make credible findings public to address speculation and restore confidence.
Reaffirming its commitment to national unity and peaceful coexistence, the group called on the media, stakeholders and citizens to prioritise accuracy, restraint and responsible communication when handling sensitive security-related issues.
