Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Nigeria numbering 48 under the auspices of the Civil Society Joint Action Group, Community of Practice Against Mass Atrocities, and, Nigeria Mourns, have expressed concern over the deteriorating state of security across Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, the group called on the Nigerian government to take actionable steps to end the endemic insecurity, mitigate further attacks by kidnap syndicates and terrorist groups, and, account persons missing in these attacks.
The CSOs spoke through Auwal Rafsanjani, the Executive Director of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Lois Auta, the Executive Director of Cedar Seed Foundation.
In their address, the CSOs urged the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to declare a state of emergency on kidnapping and other forms of terrorism.
They said endemic insecurity has persisted over the last three administrations, including that of President Buhari, who as a former military general, had gained public trust to run as president by promising to curb the then fledgling insecurity.
“Our tracking shows at least 2,423 people have been killed in mass atrocities-related incidents and at least 1,872 persons were abducted since the beginning of President Tinubu’s administration till January 26, 2024.
“We are particularly concerned about the upsurge in abductions, noting that at least 230 incidents, in most of which multiple victims were involved, occurred within the first 2 weeks of January 2024 alone.
“Several communities across the country, including the Federal Capital Territory, the seat of government itself, are under siege, with entire families and in some cases, communities taken hostage. Residents are being forced to flee due to repeated attacks by terrorists, kidnappers and other organized criminal groups.
“Kidnapping for ransom demands has become a disturbing norm, without appropriate response from the authorities”, the group said.
The group therefore demanded that the government should “enhance the country’s security infrastructure by conducting an audit of the responsibility matrix within security agencies and departments of government, bolster their capabilities and deployment of technology to effectively address the evolving challenges of insecurity;
“Promptly prosecute the 400 sponsors of terrorism arrested under the Buhari regime;
“Uncover and prosecute those responsible for the misappropriation of the $460 million earmarked for the provision of CCTV cameras in the Federal Capital Territory”, the group said.
The group also called on the government to implement more decisive measures to promptly secure the release of all abducted victims, create a register of victims of abductions and other forms of mass atrocities.
“Recognize and address the floundering economy, corruption and human rights violations as exacerbating factors of Nigeria’s insecurity
“Engage citizens on best practices for ending insecurity, including disincentivizing the payment of ransoms, provide holistic psychosocial support for abduction survivors and their families;
“Promptly investigate and decisively prosecute all individuals implicated in fueling insecurity, investigate the financial flow of organized criminal groups and identify the sponsors and beneficiaries”, the CSOs said.
