Concerned Nigerians Urge Action on Security Issues

A group has called on the government, civil society organizations, traditional leaders, and the private sector to tackle Nigeria’s security problems and protect civic rights.

The group, which goes by the name Group of Concerned Nigerians, shared a press statement with PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday. They said they are worried about the “increasing threats to the Nigerian Nation and desirous of sharing our concerns with fellow citizens.”

The people who signed the statement include Husseini Abdu, Fatima Balla, Usman Bugaje, Ibrahim Gambari, Yahaya Hashim, Jibrin Ibrahim, Attahiru Jega, Mohammed Kuna, Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud, and Kabiru Yusuf.

“Our assessment of the state of the Nation reveals that Nigeria stands at a dangerous crossroads where rising insecurity, an alarming level of electoral manipulation by the government, and the weakening of democratic institutions are converging into a national crisis that threatens the country’s survival,” the group stated.

Some of the problems the group pointed out include threats to the principle of separation of powers, lack of judicial independence, and the executive's “lack of accountability or citizens’ concern and erosion of institutional independence.”

All these factors lead to political exclusion and impunity, which in turn cause violent extremism, organized crime, and community conflicts, the group argued.

To address these issues, they made several recommendations. First, the government must recognize that “insecurity in the Sahel fuels the Nigerian crisis and that rapprochement between AES (Alliance of Sahel States) and ECOWAS is an important element in Nigeria’s national interest.”

There should be regional security cooperation between Nigeria and Sahel states for sharing intelligence to handle the growing insecurity. They also suggested increasing youth employment and local conflict resolution strategies to tackle the root causes of radicalization and insecurity. A Special Envoy for the Sahel should be appointed to build trust between Nigeria, the AES, and ECOWAS.

The group also urged civil society organizations and the private sector to educate the public and demand accountability from leaders. They expect traditional leaders and religious leaders to promote peaceful coexistence, solidarity, and inter-faith dialogue to stop the current rise in crime and civil unrest.

They called on professional bodies like the Nigerian Bar Association, unions, and civic groups to create ways to engage the Independent National and Electoral Commission (INEC) for fair and transparent elections in 2027.

The group emphasized the need for the judiciary to remain independent. They want the NBA to ensure lawyers act professionally, monitor courtrooms, and make sure politicians follow due process. The National Judicial Council (NJC) should hold judges accountable for their rulings on elections.

Insecurity and election issues are some of the problems Nigeria faces today. Since 2009, Nigeria has dealt with insecurity from Boko Haram attacks, which have grown and spread across the country. Apart from insurgencies and terrorism, there have also been farmer-herder conflicts, banditry, abductions, and kidnappings in both northern and southern Nigeria.

The insecurity has caused many Nigerians to be displaced and has affected their livelihoods, leading to a significant impact on national growth and development. The right to education has also been compromised. On 15 May, children were kidnapped in Askira-Uba, Borno, and Oyo states, with some as young as two years old. Twenty-five days later, they are still not freed. This adds to the long list of child abductions since the Chibok girls were taken in 2014.

While this issue continues, some Nigerians believe that good leadership can help reduce it. But mistrust in the electoral process remains a major challenge.