By George Mgbeleke

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has issued a blistering condemnation of the ongoing teachers’ strike in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), describing the situation as a direct consequence of what it termed the “insensitive, arrogant, and anti-worker disposition” of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, towards the welfare of staff under his supervision.

In a statement signed by the National coordinator of HURIWA, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko the stated that it is both shocking and unacceptable that in Nigeria’s capital city—one of the most expensive urban centres in Africa—over 98 percent of public sector workers, particularly teachers, continue to earn wages that are grossly inadequate and disconnected from economic realities.

The Association expressed outrage that while teachers who shape the intellectual and moral foundation of society are left impoverished, the FCT Administration appears more preoccupied with “cosmetic infrastructure projects such as flyovers and highways,” which it described as “politically convenient but socially disconnected from the urgent needs of the people.”

According to HURIWA, governance must not be reduced to “concrete and asphalt politics” at the expense of human capital development.

“Sovereignty belongs to the Nigerian people—not to appointed officials. Those who occupy public office derive their legitimacy from the people and must act in their interest, not in contempt of their welfare,” HURIWA declared.

“YOU CAN’T BUILD FLYOVERS ON BROKEN CLASSROOMS”
HURIWA accused the Minister of repeatedly making statements that suggest a troubling preference for infrastructure expansion over staff welfare, warning that such a mindset is dangerous and unsustainable.

The group stressed that no society can achieve meaningful development when its teachers—the very backbone of education—are neglected, demoralised, and pushed into industrial action.

“You cannot build flyovers over a collapsing education system. You cannot pave roads into a future where children are locked out of classrooms because their teachers are unpaid,” the statement added.

DOUBLE STANDARDS, ELITE PRIVILEGE, AND MORAL FAILURE
In a scathing critique of what it described as elite hypocrisy, HURIWA pointed out the glaring contradiction between the lifestyle choices of public officials and the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.

The Association noted that while top government officials—including the FCT Minister—send their children to some of the most expensive schools abroad, children of poor Nigerians are left to suffer the consequences of underfunded and poorly managed public education systems.

“Why are the children of the political elite educated in elite institutions overseas, while Nigerian children are denied quality education at home due to unpaid teachers?” HURIWA queried.

“This is not just unfair—it is unjust, immoral, and a betrayal of public trust.”

CALL FOR TEACHERS TO BE PAID LIKE DOCTORS
HURIWA made a bold policy demand, calling on the Federal Government and all subnational authorities to urgently review the remuneration of teachers nationwide.
The Association proposed that teachers should be placed on a salary structure comparable to that of medical doctors, given their foundational role in shaping future generations.
“Teachers are nation-builders. Without them, there would be no doctors, engineers, lawyers, or leaders. Paying them poorly is equivalent to sabotaging the future of Nigeria,” the group stated.

IMMEDIATE DEMANDS
HURIWA issued the following urgent demands:
• Immediate payment of all outstanding salaries, allowances, and entitlements owed to FCT teachers
• Urgent engagement with teachers’ unions to resolve grievances and end the strike
• Comprehensive review of teachers’ salary structure to reflect current economic realities
• Balanced prioritisation of infrastructure development and human capital investment
• Institutional reforms to guarantee workers’ welfare as a non-negotiable governance obligation

WARNING: EDUCATION COLLAPSE BREEDS INSECURITY

The Association warned that prolonged neglect of the education sector could trigger far-reaching social consequences, including rising youth unemployment, criminality, and insecurity.
“Education remains the most effective weapon against poverty, extremism, and crime. Denying children access to education is equivalent to fueling future instability,” HURIWA cautioned.
FINAL POSITION
HURIWA called on the FCT Administration to act with urgency, responsibility, and humility, warning that continued indifference could provoke widespread public backlash.
“The time for excuses is over. Pay the teachers. Reopen the schools. Restore dignity to the workforce. Anything short of this is unacceptable.”

By George Mgbeleke

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) expresses grave outrage and deep concern over the persistent and escalating killings in Plateau and Benue States, allegedly perpetrated by armed Fulani terrorist groups, which continue to claim innocent lives and displace vulnerable communities.
These repeated attacks, marked by brutality and impunity, have exposed a dangerous pattern of weak response, policy failure, and troubling silence from both the Plateau and Benue State governments. The inability—or unwillingness—of state authorities to decisively confront these atrocities has emboldened perpetrators and left citizens defenceless.
HURIWA strongly condemns the posture of the Benue State Government, particularly the earlier dismissal of claims of genocide, even in the face of mounting local and international concerns. It is deeply troubling that while credible international observers, including a visiting United States Congressional delegation, reportedly raised alarms over targeted attacks on predominantly Christian communities in parts of Northern Nigeria, the state government chose a path of denial rather than decisive action.
Equally disturbing is the situation in Plateau State, where the governor has publicly acknowledged that several rural communities are effectively under the control or occupation of armed groups, yet no commensurate action has been taken to reclaim these territories or ensure the safe return of displaced residents. Such admissions, without corresponding security measures, amount to an abdication of the fundamental duty of government—to protect lives and property.
HURIWA notes with alarm that these killings have continued unabated since the inauguration of the current federal administration, with numerous communities in both Plateau and Benue States suffering repeated attacks, mass casualties, and widespread displacement. These tragic incidents must not be normalised, ignored, or swept under the carpet of political convenience or bureaucratic inertia.
The association insists that the continued loss of lives in these states reflects not just a security failure, but a moral crisis in governance.
HURIWA therefore demands the following immediate actions:
Arrest and Prosecution:
Security agencies must urgently identify, arrest, and prosecute all individuals and groups responsible for these attacks. There must be no sacred cows.
Recovery of Occupied Communities:
The Federal Government, in collaboration with state authorities, must deploy adequate security forces to reclaim all communities reportedly under the control of armed groups and restore lawful authority.
Enhanced Security Presence:
There must be sustained and intelligence-driven security operations in vulnerable areas, including the establishment of rapid response units to prevent further attacks.
Transparent Accountability:
Both Plateau and Benue State governments must provide clear, consistent, and truthful briefings to the public on security developments, rather than contradictory or politically motivated statements.
Victim Support and Rehabilitation:
Immediate humanitarian assistance, compensation, and resettlement plans must be provided for victims and displaced persons.
National Security Strategy Review:
The Federal Government must urgently review and strengthen its overall security architecture to address the root causes of these recurring attacks and prevent further escalation.
HURIWA warns that continued inaction or inadequate response risks deepening public distrust, fuelling cycles of violence, and undermining national unity.
Nigeria cannot afford a situation where citizens are abandoned to their fate while armed groups operate with impunity. The sanctity of human life must be upheld, and justice must not only be done but seen to be done.
These killings must never be forgotten, ignored, or trivialised. The time for decisive action is now

By George Mgbeleke

Even as the Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has revealed that security forces had prior intelligence about the recent terrorist attack on the 15 Task Force Brigade in Benisheikh, Kaga Local Government Area, three days before it occurred, a call for independent investigation by a judicial commission of inquiry has been advocated by the HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA).

In a statement by National Coordinator of HURIWA,Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should immediately constitute an independent investigation by selected panelists drawn from the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Civil rights organisations and security experts to constitute the 7-man investigative team to uncover the remote and immediate circumstances that made the Defence Headquarters to fail to put preemptive mechanisms in place using the credible intelligence of an imminent attacks by Islamic terrorists to prevent the massacre of soldiers and civilians. HURIWA said it is treason for the Army headquarters and Defence Headquarters to allow their officers at the frontlines to be killed even when the attacks by the terrorists could have been prevented.

HURIWA said by now, heads should have rolled such as the sack of the Chief of Defence Staff and the CHIEF OF Army Staff for alleged incompetence and failures to prevent the costly attack that brought international shame on Nigeria.

“We suspect an insider conspiratorial plots between military officers embedded within the Nigeria Army and elements of the boko haram terrorists and ISWAP for the failure of the huerarchy of the defence headquarters to effectively put preemptive mechanisms in place to prevent the invasion of the military facility in Borno state.

“President Bola Tinubu should stop his sermonisation over the constant overrunning of military infrastructures by Islamic terrorists and order comprehensive independent investigation to be handled by a high powered judicial panelists to be led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, judges of the Federal High Court and retired Supreme Court and Court of Appeal justices and members of the organised civil rights bodies such as Mr. Femi Falana(SAN).

“For dozens of times, the military headquarters in Abuja has spectacularly failed to save the lives of soldiers in the line of fire even when there is credible intelligence about imminent attacks. The officers who treated the intelligence with Kid gloves should be named and Court Marshalled because the offence of deliberately allowing ISWAP and boko haram terrorists to successfully launch attacks on civilians and military infrastructures even when there is prior intelligence amounts to high treason.

“Those officers should be prosecuted under the counter terrorism Act of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The other time it was the Girls boarding school in Kebbi State whereby Islamic terrorists were allowed to invade the school and abduct dozens of girls from their dormitory after soldiers were withdrawn from the town just few hours before the insurgents struck showing that these are insiders jobs. Boko haram terrorists and ISWAP have infiltrated the Nigerian Army and the Defence Headquarters.”

HURIWA recalled that the Borno state governor made the disclosure at the weekend during a sympathy visit to the town, following the deadly assault that claimed the life of the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General O.O. Braimoh, along with several soldiers and civilians.

The attack, which took place in the early hours of Friday, targeted both the military formation and parts of the town, underscoring the persistent threat posed by insurgents in the North-east despite sustained counter-insurgency operations by Nigerian troops.

Describing the incident as shocking and deeply troubling, Zulum condemned the assault and called for an urgent review of military strategies to forestall similar occurrences.

“This is one of the most surprising attacks that I have witnessed in recent times,” the governor said. “Credible intelligence about the impending attack had been available for approximately three days, and there is a need to reassess our security architecture to address emerging threats more effectively.”

the military formation, prompting concerns about the circumstances that allowed the attackers to strike despite prior warnings.

During his visit, Zulum questioned local authorities about their awareness of the intelligence. The chairman of the local government confirmed that such reports had indeed been received, a development that prompted the governor to lament the lapse that enabled the attack to proceed.

Benisheikh, located along the strategic Maiduguri–Damaturu highway, serves as the headquarters of Kaga Local Government Area and has long been a critical military and logistical hub in the fight against Boko Haram.

The town has witnessed several insurgent attacks since the early years of the conflict, including a devastating assault in 2013 that resulted in heavy casualties and widespread destruction.

Although improved security measures and sustained military operations have restored relative calm in recent years, sporadic attacks continue to highlight the resilience of insurgent groups operating in the Lake Chad Basin.

Zulum emphasised the need for enhanced intelligence coordination, vigilance, and proactive measures to safeguard both military installations and civilian populations.

He assured troops of the Borno State Government’s continued support in their efforts to protect lives and property, reiterating his administration’s commitment to strengthening local security structures.

“We will continue to support the Armed Forces and other security agencies. Our administration will also enhance the resilience of local vigilantes, security personnel, and affected communities to ensure that Benisheikh does not fall into the hands of Boko Haram,” he stated.

The governor also extended condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and prayed for the repose of their souls, describing their sacrifices as a testament to their patriotism and dedication to national security.

The Benisheikh attack has once again drawn national attention to the fragile security situation in Nigeria’s North-east and the urgent need for sustained collaboration among the military, government, and local communities to defeat insurgency in the region.

HURIWA described the fact that the Defence Headquarters got the intelligence of the attack three days prior to it as sabotage and high treason just as the Rights group called for the immediate dismissal of the chief of Defence Staff abd the Chief of Army Staff for the military’s crass irresponsibility and failures to prevent the attacks.

HURIWA recalled that Islamist militant groups Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) launched coordinated overnight attacks ​on multiple locations in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno state, killing an army ‌general and several other soldiers, military sources said on Thursday.
Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters said insurgents attacked a key military base in Benisheikh but were repelled, confirming soldiers were killed ​while urging the public to wait for formal notification of ​next of kin before further details.

Fighters attacked the towns of Pulka ⁠and Bakin Ruwa in Gwoza district at about 2130 GMT on ​Wednesday, before insurgents tried to overrun the headquarters of the 29 Task Force ​Brigade in Benisheikh at midnight, Defence Headquarters said.
“The troops led by the Commander 29 Brigade, Brigadier-General Oseni Braimah, responded with exceptional courage and superior firepower… and forced (the terrorists) ​to retreat in disarray,” Defence Headquarters spokesperson Major-General Michael Onoja said, adding ​that clearance operations were ongoing.

But two military sources told Reuters the Benisheikh base was ‌overrun, ⁠killing Brigadier-General Braimah and other soldiers including a captain, and destroying several military vehicles. Reuters could not independently verify the accounts.
An officer involved in the Benisheikh reinforcements said air force aircraft evacuated the dead soldiers on Thursday ​morning after helping ​to drive out ⁠insurgents who had operated in the area for more than three hours. He said the death toll was still ​being tallied.

A 17-year Islamist insurgency in northeast Nigeria has ​killed thousands ⁠of people and displaced at least 2 million, according to aid groups, despite major military campaigns.
Boko Haram and ISWAP have intensified attacks on military positions in ⁠northeastern ​Nigeria this year, killing dozens of troops as ​they continue to exploit the region’s difficult terrain, porous borders, and weak state presence.