prosecuted in September for “defamation” The authorities forcibly evicted thousands and “diffusing information to disturb public of people from their homes. order” under the 2019 Cybercrime law. BACKGROUND In December, five members of the civil society organization Tournons La Page-Niger The armed groups Boko Haram and the (TLP-Niger) were arrested for illegal gathering Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) after the group organized a taxi caravan to ambushed, injured and killed many members raise awareness about the human rights of Nigeria’s security forces. At least 31 situation in Niger. All five were provisionally soldiers were killed by ISWAP on 26 April in released two days later. Mainok, Borno state. Inter-communal violence, mostly between 1. Niger: “I have nothing left except myself”: The worsening impact on herders and farming communities, as well as children of conflict in the Tillabéri region of Niger (Index: AFR attacks by bandits escalated, resulting in 43/4627/2021), 13 September more than 3,494 deaths and thousands of displacements. Over 5,290 people, including foreign nationals working on quarry sites, NIGERIA were abducted for ransom by bandits and other gunmen. More than 93 people were Federal Republic of Nigeria killed on 12 June by gunmen who attacked Head of state and government: Muhammadu Buhari Kadawa village, Zurmi Local Government Area (LGA), Zamfara state. Armed groups and the security forces Educational institutions were also targeted continued to commit crimes under by gunmen, forcing school closures in the international law and serious human rights north. At least 855 students were abducted violations in north-eastern Nigeria. Armed for ransom in seven states in 10 separate groups abducted and killed hundreds of attacks. Most of the students were freed after civilians. Government forces also carried ransoms were paid; however, some were out indiscriminate attacks against civilians killed by their abductors and others died in during counter-insurgency efforts. crossfire during attacks. Throughout the year, the Borno state Throughout the year, some nationwide governor carried out forced resettlements of Covid-19 restrictions remained in place. internally displaced people (IDPs) and VIOLATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL closures of IDP camps. More than 3,494 HUMANITARIAN LAW people died in inter-communal violence and bandit attacks, and more than 5,290 ABUSES BY ARMED GROUPS people were abducted for ransom by Armed groups, including Boko Haram and bandits and other gunmen. The rights to ISWAP, continued to commit war crimes and freedom of expression and peaceful crimes against humanity in North East assembly and association were routinely Nigeria, killing and abducting civilians, violated. Journalists and activists were looting property, and committing rape and arrested or questioned for exercising their other sexual violence against women and right to freedom of expression. Law girls. They carried out at least 30 attacks, enforcement agents used excessive force to causing more than 123 civilian deaths. disperse protests, sometimes leading to On 3 January, at least 50 people including deaths. Hundreds of people who an aid worker were abducted while travelling demonstrated against the security forces in along the Maiduguri-Damaturu way. On 23 2020 remained in detention. The right to February, at least 16 people were killed and health was undermined by the authorities 47 injured when Boko Haram fired rocket- and health workers resorted to strike action. propelled grenades on parts of Maiduguri, Borno state. Amnesty International Report 2021/22 276