Quit Tinubu Campaign Council, Focus On Insecurity, HURIWA Tells Defence Ministers

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has urged the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, and the Minister of State for Defence, Senator Bello Mohammed Matawalle, to withdraw immediately from President Bola Tinubu’s campaign council and focus on the country’s worsening insecurity.

HURIWA said the continued involvement of the two ministers in political activities amid increasing cases of attacks, killings and abductions across the country was inappropriate and could create the impression that the government was prioritising politics over national security.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the organisation said the ministers should concentrate on their constitutional responsibilities of overseeing the nation’s defence and counterterrorism efforts.

“The primary responsibility of the Defence Ministry at this critical period is to strengthen the capacity of the military and other security agencies to protect Nigerians and defeat terrorism, banditry and other forms of violent crime,” HURIWA said.

The call followed reports of attacks in various parts of the country, including the alleged abduction of worshippers during Friday prayers in Dekara village, Niger State.

HURIWA condemned the reported abduction of women, children and elderly persons, describing the incident as unacceptable and a serious violation of their fundamental rights.

The group also expressed concern over a video circulating on social media, purportedly showing hundreds of abducted persons. It, however, stressed that the number of victims, authenticity of the video and its location required official verification.

“While HURIWA notes that the reported number of abducted persons and the authenticity and location of the video require official verification, the reports are grave enough to demand an urgent and coordinated response from the Federal Government,” it said.

The rights group called on the Federal Government and the Niger State Government to intensify efforts to establish the whereabouts of the abducted worshippers and secure their safe release.

It also urged the government to launch urgent rescue operations for Nigerians being held captive by terrorists, bandits and kidnappers in Borno, Niger, Kogi and other affected states.

According to HURIWA, “the fight against terrorism and kidnapping must not be politicised.”

The organisation called on President Tinubu to demonstrate that protecting Nigerian lives remained a priority by directing officials responsible for national security to focus on their constitutional duties.

It further demanded stronger protection for vulnerable communities in Benue, Plateau and other states experiencing recurring attacks.

HURIWA condemned attacks on civilians regardless of their religion, ethnicity or background, stressing that perpetrators must be identified and prosecuted.

“The association rejects the killing of Christians, Muslims and members of other faiths and communities and urges security agencies to investigate every attack thoroughly and bring perpetrators to justice,” the statement added.

The group also criticised what it described as inadequate communication with families of abducted persons, urging the government to provide timely and accurate updates instead of allowing affected communities to depend on unverified reports and social media videos.

HURIWA called for improved intelligence gathering, stronger coordination among security agencies and enhanced protection for schools, places of worship and other vulnerable locations.

“The lives of Nigerians must come before electoral calculations or political interests,” the organisation said.

It urged the Federal Government to act decisively to rescue citizens in captivity, protect vulnerable communities and restore public confidence in the country’s security institutions.