HURIWA asks defence ministers to quit Tinubu campaign council, focus on insecurity

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has called on the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, and the Minister of State for Defence, Senator Bello Mohammed Matawalle, to withdraw immediately from the campaign council of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and concentrate on tackling the country’s worsening insecurity.

HURIWA said the continued participation of the two ministers in political campaign activities, amid increasing attacks, killings and abductions across the country, was inappropriate and could send the wrong signal about the government’s priorities.

In a press statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, yesterday, the group said the ministers should devote their attention to their constitutional responsibilities of supervising the nation’s defence and counterterrorism efforts.

“The primary responsibility of the Defence Ministry at this critical period is to strengthen the capacity of the military and other security agencies to protect Nigerians and defeat terrorism, banditry and other forms of violent crime,” HURIWA said.

The organisation’s call came against the backdrop of reported attacks in several parts of the country, including the alleged abduction of worshippers during Friday prayers in Dekara village, Niger State.

HURIWA condemned the reported abduction of women, children and elderly persons, describing it as “unacceptable and a serious violation of their fundamental rights.”

The group also expressed concern over a video circulating on social media, allegedly showing hundreds of abducted persons.

It, however, cautioned that the reported number of victims, as well as the authenticity and location of the video, required official verification.

While HURIWA notes that the reported number of abducted persons and the authenticity and location of the video require official verification, the reports are grave enough to demand an urgent and coordinated response from the Federal Government,” it said.

The rights group urged the Federal Government and the Niger State Government to intensify efforts to establish the whereabouts of the abducted worshippers and secure their safe release.

It also called for urgent rescue operations for Nigerians held captive by terrorists, bandits and kidnappers in Borno, Niger, Kogi and other affected states.

According to HURIWA, “the fight against terrorism and kidnapping must not be politicised.”

It urged President Tinubu to demonstrate that the protection of Nigerian lives remained a priority by directing officials responsible for national security to concentrate on their constitutional duties.

The organisation further called for stronger protection of vulnerable communities in Benue, Plateau and other states experiencing recurring attacks.

HURIWA condemned attacks on civilians irrespective of their religion, ethnicity or background, stressing that perpetrators of violence must be identified and prosecuted.

“The association rejects the killing of Christians, Muslims and members of other faiths and communities and urges security agencies to investigate every attack thoroughly and bring perpetrators to justice,” the statement added.

The group also criticised what it described as inadequate information to families of abducted persons, urging government to provide timely and accurate updates rather than allowing communities to rely on unverified reports and social media videos.

HURIWA demanded improved intelligence gathering and stronger coordination among security agencies, alongside enhanced protection for schools, places of worship and other vulnerable locations.

“The lives of Nigerians must come before electoral calculations or political interests,” the organisation said.

It urged the Federal Government to act decisively to rescue citizens in captivity, protect vulnerable communities and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions.

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