The International Human Rights Commission (IHRC – RFT Global Nigeria Chapter) has called for an investigation into claims that a foreign national may be inciting religious unrest in Benue and Plateau states. Country Director Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu said the organisation received reports of a foreign individual allegedly fuelling tensions, a matter it described as serious and potentially destabilising. The IHRC urged security agencies to conduct a thorough, impartial probe, stressing that anyone found responsible, whether Nigerian or foreign, must face legal consequences. "Anyone found guilty, whether a citizen or a foreigner, must be held accountable under the law," the statement said.
The group also called on the National Assembly to initiate legislative inquiries to uncover facts and protect national interests. It warned that unverified information, especially in international media, could harm Nigeria's image and deepen divisions. "The spread of inconsistent or unverified information at the global level does not contribute positively to Nigeria's image and may further inflame tensions," the statement noted. Nigerians were urged to remain calm, avoid rumour-mongering, and refrain from inciting religious or ethnic conflict. The IHRC insisted due process must be followed and condemned hate speech and vigilantism. "Justice must be served without fear or favour," it added.
Accusing a foreign national without evidence risks shifting blame from homegrown failures in security and governance. Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu's call for investigation sounds reasonable, but past rhetoric from rights groups has sometimes amplified suspicion without leading to concrete outcomes. If security agencies act, they must show proof — not feed narratives that distract from their own lapses in Benue and Plateau. For Nigerians, another appeal for calm means little without visible action behind the statements.
