The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has expressed outrage over claims by the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd) that the security situation under President Bola Tinubu deserves a score of between 65 and 70 per cent.
Its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko in a statement issued Sunday said to millions of Nigerians who cannot sleep with both eyes closed, who cannot travel safely on highways, whose loved ones have been kidnapped, murdered, displaced or terrorised, such a rating is not merely unrealistic—it is an insult to the pain, suffering and anguish of the victims of Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
He rejected the attempt by the Defence Minister to draw a distinction between terrorism and kidnapping as though they are unrelated phenomena.
Onwubiko noted: “This argument collapses under the weight of reality. In Nigeria today, kidnappers operate as terrorists and terrorists operate as kidnappers. Both deploy violence, fear, intimidation, murder, abduction and ransom-taking to achieve their objectives. Both destroy communities, cripple economic activities and undermine national security.
“To argue that terrorism has reduced because kidnapping has become more prevalent is akin to claiming that a patient is recovering from cancer because another deadly disease has taken over his body. Such reasoning is illogical, misleading and dangerously disconnected from the realities confronting Nigerians daily.
“Even more disturbing is the continuing official defence of the controversial deradicalisation and rehabilitation programme for former terrorists. HURIWA has repeatedly warned that government officials are sending the wrong message when they appear more committed to reintegrating former terrorists than ensuring justice for victims.”
Onwubiko stressed that what Nigerians expect is the vigorous enforcement of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, the prosecution of terrorists and their sponsors, and the dismantling of criminal networks—not public relations campaigns designed to justify the return of individuals associated with terrorism to communities that suffered unspeakable devastation.
He maintained that anation that seeks to defeat terrorism must demonstrate that participation in terrorism carries severe legal consequences.
Onwubiko said anything less weakens deterrence, emboldens criminal elements and undermines confidence in the justice system.
He added: “Is the Minister unaware that retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, and his wife were recently abducted by armed criminals in Katsina State?
“Is he unaware of the continuing kidnappings of schoolchildren, teachers and travellers across different parts of Nigeria?
“Is he unaware of repeated attacks on communities in several states and the growing climate of fear affecting citizens in both rural and urban areas?
“Is he unaware that countless Nigerians still avoid major roads because of the persistent threat of abduction?
“These are not indicators of a nation that has attained a 70 per cent security success rate. They are symptoms of a security crisis that remains far from being resolved.”