Security
By Victoria Frances
THE Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) is outraged by the disgraceful and insulting attempt by the Defence Headquarters to trivialise the horrifying spread of terrorism and mass kidnappings into Nigeria’s South-West even after armed terrorists invaded schools in Oyo State and abducted 32 innocent pupils and teachers like helpless prey.
At a time Nigerians are being slaughtered, kidnapped, displaced and traumatised daily, the nation’s security leadership appears more interested in protecting official narratives than protecting human lives, Emmanuel Onwubiko, national coordinator of HURIWA stated in a statement made available to Realnews Wednesday, May 20.
Part of the statement reads: “The claim by the Defence Headquarters 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.
“What exactly qualifies as an “operational base” when schoolchildren are abducted in coordinated attacks? What kind of intelligence system waits until terrorists strike before reacting with press statements?
“This latest attempt to minimise the crisis exposes the frightening disconnect between the suffering of ordinary Nigerians and the comfort-zone mentality of those entrusted with national security.”
HURIWA therefore called for the immediate sack of the chief of defence staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, the national security adviser, the military intelligence chiefs, all service chiefs and the director-general of the DSS for what has become a catastrophic and unforgivable failure of national security management.
“Nigeria today resembles a nation under siege.
From the North-East to the North-West, from the Middle Belt to parts of the South-West, terrorists, bandits and kidnappers now operate with terrifying boldness while citizens live in permanent fear. Communities are sacked repeatedly. Farmers abandon their lands. Highways have become death traps.
“Schools are no longer safe. Yet the same security chiefs remain comfortably in office as though failure has become official policy.
HURIWA is particularly alarmed that despite the unprecedented deterioration in security, President Bola Tinubu has continued to retain officials whose records have inspired little public confidence. Nigerians are beginning to perceive a dangerous pattern in which ethnic loyalty and political considerations override competence and accountability in strategic security appointments.
“A nation at war with terrorism cannot afford nepotism in national security management.
The current security architecture has collapsed under the weight of poor intelligence coordination, weak operational response and shocking absence of accountability.
“Terrorists repeatedly outsmart security agencies, attack military formations, abduct citizens and vanish into forests while intelligence chiefs continue to hold office without consequences.
“Even more disturbing are previous remarks credited to the CDS in which terrorists were allegedly described as “prodigal sons.” Such language sends a dangerous message of softness and moral confusion at a time Nigerians expect firmness, clarity and total commitment against terrorism,” it stated.
HURIWA also condemned the growing politicisation of the DSS under its current leadership. Rather than focusing aggressively on dismantling terrorist cells and criminal syndicates, the agency is increasingly accused of targeting critics, activists and dissenting voices while insecurity spirals uncontrollably.
“The DSS must never become an extension of partisan political machinery while Nigerians die daily from preventable security failures.
“The association further notes that controversies surrounding the tenure and retirement status of former Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, repeatedly raised by activist Omoyele Sowore, only deepened public distrust in the integrity and professionalism of the nation’s security leadership.
“Nigeria cannot continue this way.
A government that cannot guarantee the safety of schoolchildren, farmers, travellers and rural communities loses moral authority to demand public confidence.
“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.
“If President Tinubu truly wants to save Nigeria from total security breakdown, he must immediately dissolve the current security leadership and rebuild a professional, intelligence-driven and non-partisan national security architecture rooted in competence rather than ethnic loyalty or political patronage.
“Anything short of that would amount to complicity through inaction.”
A.I
May 21, 2026
Tags: Emmanuel Onwubiko HURIWA Victoria Frances