Nigeria

The security situation across Nigeria remains dire as armed groups kill, pilfer, and kidnap people for ransom across Nigeria. Decades-long communal tensions continued to erupt into violent attacks, killings, and pillaging of villages and towns in the Northwest and North Central. In the Northeast, the security situation remained dire in 2021; the reported death of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau strengthened the splinter group the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). 

Tensions remained high in southern Nigeria, where armed separatist groups carried out attacks against civilians for real or perceived affiliation with or support for the government. Security forces also carried out abuses in responding to threats by the armed groups and the separatist agitation in general.

Nigerian authorities blocked access to Twitter in June 2021. The ban - which was lifted in January 2022 - is indicative of a larger corrosion of Nigerians' fundamental rights. Nigerian authorities made no effort to ensure justice for the killing of protesters in Lagos state in 2020.