Kidnappings: Sack NSA, CDS Now, Huriwa Tells Tinubu
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately sack the nation’s top security officials over what it described as the worsening collapse of security across the country.
The group specifically demanded the removal of the Chief of Defence Staff, the National Security Adviser, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, military intelligence chiefs and other service commanders, accusing them of failing to protect Nigerians from terrorism, kidnappings and violent attacks.
In a statement issued yesterday by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA said recent incidents, including the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, showed that insecurity had spread dangerously into parts of the South-West.
The organisation criticised the Defence Headquarters for dismissing concerns over terrorist activities in the region, insisting that the growing wave of kidnappings and attacks on communities could no longer be ignored.
“The claim that terrorists have no operational base in the South-West is not only shocking but dangerously deceptive.
“Nigerians do not need terrorists to erect signboards before recognising that armed criminal networks have already infiltrated forests, highways and rural communities across the region,” the group stated.
HURIWA said the continued attacks on schools, farming communities and highways reflected what it called a frightening breakdown of intelligence gathering and operational response by security agencies.
According to the group, the country now resembles “a nation under siege,” with terrorists and bandits operating freely while citizens live in fear.
It noted that several communities across the North-East, North-West, Middle Belt and parts of the South-West had suffered repeated attacks, forcing residents to flee their homes and abandon economic activities.
The rights group also accused the Federal Government of retaining security officials whose performances had failed to inspire public confidence.
It warned against what it described as the growing influence of ethnic and political considerations in strategic security appointments, arguing that competence and accountability should take priority in the fight against terrorism.
“A nation at war with terrorism cannot afford nepotism in national security management,” the statement added.
HURIWA further criticised remarks previously attributed to the Chief of Defence Staf, General Olufemi Oluyede, in which terrorists were allegedly described as “prodigal sons,” saying such comments projected weakness at a time Nigerians expected decisive action against criminal groups.
The group also accused the DSS of becoming increasingly politicised, alleging that the agency was focusing more on critics and dissenting voices rather than aggressively dismantling terrorist and kidnapping networks.
According to HURIWA, controversies surrounding the tenure and retirement status of former Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun had further weakened public confidence in the nation’s security leadership.
It maintained that the Federal Government risked losing public trust if it failed to guarantee the safety of schoolchildren, farmers, travellers and rural communities.
“Enough of the propaganda. Enough of the media spin. Enough of the official denials. Nigerians are dying. Nigerians are being kidnapped. Nigerians are living in terror,” the statement said.
HURIWA warned that any delay in taking decisive action could worsen the nation’s security challenges and deepen public frustration.
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
