By George Mgbeleke <\/p>\n
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) is deeply disturbed by the increasing tendency of some political leaders and public officials to politicise the scourge of terrorism and insecurity rather than confront the fundamental issues responsible for the continued killings, kidnappings and destruction of lives and property across Nigeria.<\/p>\n
Recent statements by leading political figures suggesting that terrorists are escalating attacks because of political calculations, electoral considerations, or alleged plots to embarrass political opponents are not only speculative but risk diverting attention from the urgent task of defeating terrorism and protecting innocent Nigerians.<\/p>\n
Terrorists are not politicians. They are mass murderers, enemies of humanity, and enemies of the Nigerian state. Their actions constitute acts of terrorism, criminality, and violent extremism. The suggestion that terrorist attacks should be viewed primarily through a political lens is dangerous and counterproductive.<\/p>\n
Nigeria already possesses a robust legal framework to combat terrorism, including the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act and other national security laws. What is urgently required is the political will, operational efficiency, intelligence coordination, and accountability necessary to implement these laws decisively against terrorists and their sponsors.<\/p>\n
HURIWA therefore calls for the immediate establishment of an Independent Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the persistent security failures that have enabled terrorist groups and bandits to continue operating despite enormous budgetary allocations to defence and security agencies over the years.<\/p>\n
The proposed judicial panel should examine:
\nThe effectiveness of intelligence gathering and intelligence sharing among security agencies.<\/p>\n
The utilisation of modern surveillance technologies and tracking capabilities available to government institutions.
\nAllegations of sabotage, collusion, negligence, or compromise within security and intelligence institutions.
\nThe procurement processes within the defence establishment and whether corruption has undermined operational effectiveness.<\/p>\n
The adequacy of training, welfare, deployment, and motivation of security personnel engaged in counter-terrorism operations.<\/p>\n
Where evidence establishes deliberate sabotage, collaboration with terrorists, or actions that undermine Nigeria’s national security, those responsible should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Individuals found to have aided terrorist organisations from within government institutions must face severe legal consequences for betraying the Nigerian state and endangering millions of citizens.<\/p>\n
HURIWA maintains that politicians should focus on providing effective leadership instead of engaging in public speculation over the motives of terrorists. Their primary responsibility is to ensure that security agencies are properly funded, professionally managed, technologically equipped, and free from corruption.<\/p>\n
The fight against terrorism cannot be won through political rhetoric. It can only be won through competent governance, effective intelligence, modern military capabilities, professional security operations, and strict accountability.<\/p>\n
For more than thirteen years, Nigerians have endured relentless terrorist attacks. Thousands of citizens have been killed, abducted, displaced, or injured. These atrocities have occurred during election periods and non-election periods alike. <\/p>\n
The evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates that terrorist organisations pursue violent extremist objectives and criminal enterprises rather than the programmes of any political party.<\/p>\n
HURIWA therefore urges political leaders across party lines to desist from introducing partisan considerations into matters of national security. Terrorism is a national emergency that demands seriousness, responsibility, and unity of purpose.<\/p>\n
The Federal Government must intensify efforts to identify, arrest, prosecute, and punish terrorists, their financiers, informants, collaborators, and sponsors. At the same time, procurement corruption within the military and security establishments must be confronted decisively to ensure that frontline personnel receive the best available
\n equipment, technology, intelligence support, and welfare packages necessary to defeat the enemies of Nigeria.<\/p>\n
Nigeria cannot afford endless excuses. Nigerians deserve security. Nigerians deserve accountability. Nigerians deserve a government that treats terrorism as the grave national security threat that it is.
\nThe time has come for action, transparency, and measurable results.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By George Mgbeleke The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) is deeply disturbed by the increasing tendency of some political leaders and public officials to politicise the scourge of terrorism and insecurity rather than confront the fundamental issues responsible for the continued killings, kidnappings and destruction of lives and property across Nigeria. Recent statements […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11875,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14245","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opinion"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14245","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14245"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14245\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14246,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14245\/revisions\/14246"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11875"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14245"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14245"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14245"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}