The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the current military leadership for what it calls a complete failure to implement an effective strategy against terrorism and banditry in Nigeria. The organization expressed outrage over the worsening situation in Zamfara and Niger states, where terrorists continue to terrorize communities and have even captured military hardware, further highlighting the weaknesses in Nigeria’s security apparatus.
HURIWA particularly criticized President Tinubu’s decision to send a delegation, led by Minister of State for Defence Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), to Sokoto to address banditry and terrorism in the North West. The organization dismissed this as political posturing that fails to address the root causes of insecurity or provide a concrete path to victory.
In a statement released on Monday, HURIWA questioned the efficacy of sending high-profile government officials to Sokoto without a clear, actionable plan. “Sending a Minister or the CDS to Sokoto is not a strategy; it’s a political stunt. Are these officials going to lead troops into battle? Are they going to dismantle terrorist networks themselves? This is not what Nigerians expect from their leaders. Nigerians want a real, winning strategy—something the current administration and military chiefs have failed to deliver,” said Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA’s National Coordinator.
HURIWA did not hold back in highlighting what it sees as the core reasons for the ongoing failures in combating terrorism: incompetence at the highest levels of the military and the politicization of key appointments. The organization lamented that the President, possibly due to ethnic considerations or political patronage, has refused to appoint the most competent generals to lead the nation’s armed forces.
“There is no justification for the President to keep appointing ineffective military leaders when there are qualified generals from various ethnic groups who can lead this country out of its security crisis. The continued reliance on generals who lack the strategic insight to defeat these terrorists is not only frustrating but dangerous for the country,” HURIWA stated.
The group pointed to recent events in Zamfara State, where terrorists led by Bello Turji were seen celebrating the capture of a Nigerian Army Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC). Reports indicate that the military vehicle got stuck in a marshy area, forcing troops to temporarily abandon it. The terrorists then exploited the situation, capturing the vehicle and further demoralizing both the military and the general populace.
“How can a country continue to fight terrorism for over a decade without any sign of victory? Some top generals in the military are using the counter-terrorism war as a multi-billion naira franchise for themselves. There is no other explanation for the continuous failures we are witnessing. The President must set aside political considerations and appoint leaders based on merit if he truly wants to end this crisis,” HURIWA declared.
HURIWA also expressed deep concern over the failure of Nigeria’s intelligence community to monitor and intercept terrorist communications effectively. Despite significant resources allocated to intelligence and security agencies, they have been unable to detect and disrupt terrorist networks within the country.
Citing a recent report by SB Morgen (SBM) Intelligence, HURIWA highlighted the grim reality that over 1,056 Nigerians were killed in kidnap-related incidents between July 2023 and June 2024, while kidnappers demanded an astounding N10.9 billion in ransom during the same period. The organization criticized the government’s lack of a comprehensive strategy to combat these crimes, which have become increasingly brazen and widespread.
“It’s incomprehensible that terrorists can communicate openly and plan their attacks without being intercepted by our intelligence agencies. The same terrorists are now taunting the Nigerian government on social media, yet the security forces seem powerless to stop them. What is the purpose of linking National Identification Numbers (NIN) to mobile networks if the intelligence community cannot use this data to track and neutralize these threats?” HURIWA questioned.
Given these failures, HURIWA called for a complete overhaul of military leadership and a new, merit-based approach to appointments within the armed forces. The organization emphasized that the only way to defeat terrorists and restore peace in Nigeria is through competent leadership, free from political or ethnic bias.
“Nigeria needs a winning strategy, which can only be achieved by appointing a Chief of Army Staff who has the vision, experience, and tactical knowledge to defeat these terrorists. If the President insists on appointing a Yoruba person to this position, there are many competent Yoruba generals to choose from. However, the current crop of leaders has repeatedly proven they are not up to the task,” HURIWA stated.
HURIWA also demanded immediate action from the President to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians. The group stressed that the government’s top priority should be the security and well-being of its citizens, which can only be achieved through decisive leadership and a clear, coherent strategy.
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In conclusion, HURIWA reiterated its call for accountability at all levels of government and the military. The organization warned that unless there is a radical change in how security challenges are handled, Nigeria risks descending further into chaos. “The time for political games is over. Nigerians deserve better. They deserve a government that will take their security seriously and a military capable of delivering victory,” HURIWA’s statement concluded.
