HURIWA Demands New National Security Doctrine as Terrorists Kill Soldiers and Civilians
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has issued a strong call for the Federal Government to urgently adopt a new national security doctrine capable of effectively protecting lives and property across the nation. The civil rights advocacy group emphasized that safeguarding citizens remains the fundamental and primary responsibility of the state, and that Nigeria's survival depends on decisive leadership, a comprehensive war against terrorism, and a completely revamped security strategy.
According to HURIWA, anything less than this comprehensive approach would only serve to embolden the enemies of the nation and further destabilize the country.
Condemnation of Escalating Terrorist Attacks
HURIWA has condemned in the strongest terms the escalating wave of terrorist attacks that have been sweeping across various regions of Nigeria. The group declared that the continued killing of security operatives and innocent civilians represents incontrovertible evidence that the current security strategy implemented by the Federal Government has completely failed to protect the populace.
In a detailed statement issued in Abuja by its national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the organization asserted that the recent spate of deadly attacks spanning from Plateau State to the North-East demonstrates conclusively that Nigeria's counter-terrorism architecture has collapsed under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu. The group issued a stark warning that the country risks descending further into chaos and anarchy if urgent structural reforms are not implemented immediately.
Deadly Ambush in Plateau State
HURIWA was reacting specifically to disturbing reports that no fewer than 20 security operatives and vigilante members were brutally killed in a coordinated ambush by heavily armed bandits in Wanka and surrounding communities of the Garga axis within Kanam Local Council of Plateau State.
According to information provided by the Kanam Development Association, the victims included:
- 12 security personnel, among them two senior military officers
- 8 vigilante members who were assisting security forces in protecting vulnerable communities
The joint patrol team was reportedly traveling in two vehicles during what should have been a routine security operation covering the communities of Garga, Kyaram, and Gyambau when hundreds of bandits ambushed them near Wankat at approximately 2:00 pm on Friday. This resulted in a deadly exchange of gunfire that left many of the operatives dead on the spot.
Additional Targeted Killings in Plateau
The group further cited additional reports of targeted killings in Plateau State, including the brutal murder of traders traveling to a market in the Barikin Ladi axis. In that particularly disturbing incident, gunmen reportedly stopped vehicles at an improvised checkpoint and interrogated passengers about their ethnic identity before opening fire on those who identified themselves as Hausa traders.
This pattern of violence demonstrates not only the failure of security measures but also the dangerous ethnic dimensions that some attacks have taken in the region.
Call for Leadership Changes in Security Architecture
HURIWA therefore called for the immediate removal of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, arguing that the country urgently requires a far more experienced military strategist capable of coordinating a comprehensive and decisive war against terrorism and organized armed violence.
According to HURIWA's assessment, a competent and battle-tested military general should be appointed to replace the current NSA to restore strategic coordination among the armed forces, intelligence agencies, and other security institutions. The organization believes that only such decisive leadership changes can create the conditions necessary for developing and implementing an effective new security doctrine that will actually protect Nigerian citizens from the escalating terrorist threat.
