Nigerian human rights breaches being ignored by West, claims watchdog

A HUMAN rights organisation yesterday accused Nigeria of killing and torturing activists, stifling free speech and threatening and bribing journalists in Africa’s most populous nation.

New York-based Human Rights Watch issued its strongly worded 40-page report, citing alleged killings and beatings by state security forces as Nigeria prepares to host a prestigious summit of 53 leaders of Commonwealth countries, starting on Friday.

"Even though military rule has ended, Nigerians still cannot express themselves freely without fear of grave consequences," said Peter Takirambudde, executive director of Human Rights Watch's Africa division.