Amnesty International Nigeria has raised concerns over the alleged threats and harassment faced by a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ushie Uguamaye, following her viral TikTok video criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration for worsening economic conditions.
In a statement shared on Sunday via X, the human rights organization denounced the reported intimidation, particularly from NYSC officials, stressing that Uguamaye had the right to freely express her views on the country’s economic situation.
Amnesty International further urged the government to focus on addressing inflation and economic hardship rather than targeting citizens for their opinions.
Uguamaye’s viral video, which sparked widespread debate, condemned the government’s handling of the economy, labeling Tinubu’s leadership as ineffective. She also criticized the state of sanitation in Lagos, describing the environment as unhygienic.
Following the video’s circulation, Uguamaye alleged that she received threats from individuals linked to the NYSC, pressuring her to take down the content.
She later took to Instagram to express concerns for her safety, revealing that her personal details had been leaked and that she was being summoned to the NYSC office.
The development has triggered national discourse on freedom of speech and the role of the NYSC in curbing public dissent.
Social media users have rallied behind Uguamaye, with the hashtag #ProtectRaye gaining momentum as calls for accountability grow louder.
Amnesty International, in its statement, criticized Nigerian authorities for what it described as a pattern of suppressing dissent instead of addressing public grievances.
The organization emphasized that freedom of expression is a constitutional right and warned against the criminalization of opposing views.
As of now, the NYSC has yet to issue an official response to the allegations. However, the incident has intensified scrutiny over the government’s response to criticism amid ongoing economic difficulties.
