By George Mgbeleke

Following the daredevil terrorist attack launched on Wednesday’s night targeting stidents living in the hostels of the Federal University of Technology Owerri, in Imo State and the fact that the Fulani terrorists who attacked were over 50 armed marauders who shot at every moving and living beings on sight within the vicinity of the students residential area in Owerri, a call has gone to the Imo state Governor Mr. Hope Uzodinma who does not live in Owerri due to his involvement in the nationwide political campaigns for the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to resign and hand over to his deputy governor to provide quality and focused governance. HURIWA alleged that intelligence revealed that there are hundreds of armed Fulani terrorists pretending to be herders who are hibernating in the thick forests scattered all over Imo State, the Heartland of Nigeria.

Besides, HURIWA condemned the security institutions and their state directors such as the Army with a large presence in Owerri, Imo state, the police with a huge state command, the Department of State Services with a massive state directorate for dereliction of duties and for not preventing such a massive numbers of terrorists masquerading as herders to invade Owerri Imo state and to launch such deadly attacks just as the Rights group wondered why it took the security forces a long time as reported by eye witnesses before intervening in the horrendous and bloody attacks on students and other residents of that suburb of the Imo State capital. HURIWA demanded the upgrading of military and intelligence activities of security agencies not focused solely on arresting or crushing IPOB but should be basically focused on eradicating, decimating, degrading and neutralising the massive numbers of Fulani terrorists just as the Rights group urged Imo state government to audit the cattle owners in Imo State, register them and mount surveillance on their activities, abolish open grazing of cows in the towns and cities of Imo State to protect farmers and residents from the bloody attacks of Fulani terrorists.

“HURIWA is aware that there is also a contingent of special forces from the military but whose single focus is on the members of the self determination group the Indigenous People of Biafra but yet, armed Fulani terrorists have often launched several deadly attacks in Imo State and particularly around the Federal Highway linking Imo state to Aba and PortHarcourt.

“It is unfortunate that the police and the Nigeria Army that are noticeably seen mounting roadblocks all over the Federal Highways of Imo State and are mostly extorting and harassing Road users and particularly commercial drivers, have failed to protect the sacredness of the lives of Imo state citizens and prevent the wanton destructions of their priced assets and properties.”

“The Imo state government has so far failed to protect the students of FUTO and over 50 percent of the vast lands of Imo state and communities are ungoverned spaces whereby armed insurgents and Fulani terrorists are busy killing, maiming and attacking residents of communities spread across the three Senatorial Zones of Imo State.

“Our proposal is that GOVERNOR HOPE UZODINMA SHOULD QUIT OR TAKE A LONG VACATION AND EMPOWRR HIS DEPUTY TO FULLY PROVIDE GOVERNANCE IN IMO STATE. HOPE UZODINMA HAS ALREADY BEING Tipped AND HIRED BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU TO COORDINATE HIS CAMPAIGNS FOR 2027 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION ABD THIS IS AN HERCULEAN TASK. COMBINING THIS JOB AND THAT OF GOVERNING A STATE WHICH IS A 24/7 JOB BY HOPE UZODINMA IS IMPRACTICABLE. ALSO HOPE UZODINMA IS FOCUSED ON BECOMING BOTH A SENATOR AND A GOVERNOR AT THE SAME TIME AND HE SPENDS ALL HIS TIME OUTSIDE IMO STATE SO HOW CAN HE PROTECT THE CITIZENS OF IMO STATE OF SOUTH EAST OF NIGERIA.”

HURIWA in a statement by the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko recalled that fear has gripped students, staff, and residents of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) and surrounding areas in Imo State after reports of an invasion by heavily armed Fulani herdsmen.
Eyewitnesses say over 50 armed men on motorcycles stormed the Eziobodo and Ihiagwa areas near the university. They opened fire on residents in what many described as an ambush attack. Gunshots rang out for several minutes, causing students to run helter-skelter from hostels and lecture halls. Some people were reportedly injured, while others are said to be missing.
Many blamed the slow response of security agencies. Despite police posts and military checkpoints nearby, the attackers reportedly moved freely before disappearing into nearby bushes. The university community remains tense, with some students fleeing to safer areas.
On social media, reactions have been swift and angry. @Romeo_Onchain wrote:
“Yesterday was not funny in FUTO. Students were running helter-skelter. Lives were lost, several injured, at least 4 kidnapped. The government must come to our aid now!”
@MAGNITUDE0003 added: “This is my area.
Police and army are around but these Fulani men still entered with bikes. God we are finished!”@BadmanVizzy posted: “Small FUTO wey we dey manage. These Fulani herdsmen don come for us. This is serious!”
Security agencies are yet to issue an official statement, but residents are calling for urgent action to restore calm and protect lives.

By George Mgbeleke

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly condemned what it described as the “uncivil, reckless and disgraceful conduct” of Lere Olayinka, spokesperson to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, following his recent outburst during a television programme.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the association said Olayinka’s conduct fell far below the standards expected of anyone occupying a sensitive public communication office funded by Nigerian taxpayers.
HURIWA stated that the deployment of gutter language and uncouth expressions by a spokesperson attached to a cabinet-level public official was “absolutely reprehensible and unacceptable in any decent democratic society.”
The group particularly condemned what it described as the “unprintable and disrespectful remarks” directed at former Minister of Special Duties and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Tanimu Turaki, stressing that such verbal attacks against a respected elder statesman and legal luminary were “totally outrageous, shameful and despicable.”
According to HURIWA:
“This spokesman of Wike appears unfit for public office. His comments consistently lack decorum, civility, respect for elder statesmen, and the maturity expected of someone occupying a public communication role. His combative and uncouth disposition reflects poorly on the office he represents.”
The association further stated:
“His deployment of gutter language unbecoming of someone being paid with taxpayers’ money is absolutely reprehensible. The unprintable words he used against the person of former Minister of Special Duties and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki, are totally outrageous and despicable. The so-called spokesperson to the FCT Minister should first be enrolled in a short course on media relations and public communication before he can be considered qualified to speak for a cabinet-level appointee. He comes across as garrulous, illogical, cantankerous, and unsound in his arguments. This is deeply unfortunate.”
HURIWA faulted Olayinka’s remarks while reacting to discussions surrounding the Supreme Court judgment on the Peoples Democratic Party’s national secretary position, noting that instead of engaging issues constructively, he resorted to personal attacks and inflammatory rhetoric.

We in HURIWA agree with the erudite opinion by a communications strategist who says that in politics and public communication, the responsibility placed on spokespersons is enormous. A careless statement, a reckless allegation, or a deliberate attempt to sensationalize issues for partisan gain can unnecessarily inflame tensions, damage reputations, and distort facts already before competent courts. This appears to be the situation arising from comments made on national TV by a spokesperson for the FCT Minister regarding the issues between Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, and his former close friend and we in the organised civil society community are shocked that such a person is holding such a high profile office serviced by Nigerian taxpayers.

Contrary to the impression allegedly created during the TV appearance, the matter before the High Court of the FCT, Abuja, does not contain any allegation that the learned SAN had an immoral relationship with the wife of his former associate.
The rights group warned that the increasing trend of verbal hostility, insults, and reckless public commentary by political spokespersons poses a serious threat to democratic culture, political tolerance, and healthy national discourse.
The association urged political appointees and their media aides to embrace responsible communication, civility, and issue-based engagement capable of promoting unity and strengthening democratic values rather than deepening divisions through needless verbal attacks.

By George Mgbeleke

Pro-democracy and civil rights advocacy group Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) condemns in the strongest possible terms the escalating war against freedom of expression, civic engagement and constitutional democracy being waged by the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Police and other coercive institutions of the Nigerian state.

What Nigerians are witnessing today is the dangerous weaponisation of state power to silence critics, terrorise activists and criminalise dissent. The arrest, detention and oppressive prosecution of civil rights voices such as Omoyele Sowore, Mark Chidiebere and others amount to a direct assault on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Nigeria is gradually sliding into authoritarianism under a democratic facade.

The case of activist Mark Chidiebere, reportedly arrested for speaking about the poor feeding and welfare conditions of troops fighting terrorists, is a disgraceful example of how low this government has sunk in its intolerance of truth.

Mark Chidiebere is a prisoner of conscience.

What he reportedly said is not new. Serving and retired military personnel have repeatedly raised similar concerns publicly. Instead of addressing the welfare crisis affecting troops risking their lives daily, the DSS and military authorities are wasting taxpayers’ money hunting down citizens for speaking uncomfortable truths.

HURIWA asks President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and members of the political elite:
Do you feed your families the same way many of our troops are allegedly fed in the theatres of war?

How much is budgeted yearly for feeding at Aso Rock, the Presidency and top government offices?

Why should political office holders live in obscene luxury while soldiers battling terrorists face neglect, poor welfare and inadequate support?

We demand that President Tinubu immediately slash by at least 50 percent the bloated feeding and welfare budgets attached to the Presidency, the Vice President’s office and top government functionaries, and redirect those funds toward the welfare, feeding, medical support and operational needs of troops confronting terrorists and bandits across Northern Nigeria.

It is morally indefensible for politicians to feast while soldiers bleed.

HURIWA is also alarmed that public institutions, including sections of the judiciary, increasingly appear captured and weakened by executive influence, thereby enabling politically motivated prosecutions and suppression of constitutional freedoms.

The growing climate of fear, intimidation and abuse of power under the current administration is becoming more frightening than some of the darkest periods of Nigeria’s military dictatorship.

History will not be kind to leaders who use security agencies as instruments of repression against their own citizens.
We call on the international community, democratic governments, the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union and global human rights organisations to urgently place Nigeria under close democratic and human rights watch.

The DSS, Police and military authorities must immediately stop the persecution of activists and critics and focus instead on improving the welfare and working conditions of their personnel, many of whom are themselves victims of Nigeria’s worsening economic hardship and inflation crisis.

Nigeria belongs to the people — not to a handful of powerful individuals who believe criticism is a crime.

We therefore demand:
Immediate and unconditional release of all detained civil rights activists.
An end to politically motivated prosecutions and harassment of dissenting voices.
Respect for constitutional freedoms of speech, association and civic participation.
Independent investigation into abuses committed by security agencies against civilians.

Immediate improvement in the welfare and operational conditions of troops and security personnel.

Democracy dies when citizens become afraid to speak.