The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) is outraged by the astonishing claim by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, that the security situation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves a score of between 65 and 70 per cent.
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.
HURIWA categorically rejects the attempt by the Defence Minister to draw a distinction between terrorism and kidnapping as though they are unrelated phenomena. 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.
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.
The proposition that some terrorists should escape the full consequences of the law because they were allegedly “forced” into terrorism is fraught with legal and moral contradictions. If accepted as a general principle, such reasoning would undermine criminal justice itself. Every criminal could seek refuge under the argument of coercion or circumstance.
A nation that seeks to defeat terrorism must demonstrate that participation in terrorism carries severe legal consequences. Anything less weakens deterrence, emboldens criminal elements and undermines confidence in the justice system.
General Musa’s glowing assessment is further demolished by events unfolding across the country.
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.
HURIWA submits that the Tinubu administration’s third anniversary should be an occasion for sober reflection rather than self-congratulation. The reality confronting Nigerians is one of continuing insecurity, escalating kidnappings, deadly attacks on communities, economic disruptions caused by criminal violence and widespread public anxiety.
No amount of official optimism can erase the daily headlines of abductions, killings and attacks that continue to dominate the national conversation.
The greatest disservice government officials can do to the nation at this critical moment is to minimise the severity of the crisis. Nigeria does not need inflated scorecards. Nigeria needs results.
The country needs stronger intelligence gathering, more aggressive implementation of counterterrorism laws, effective border control, improved protection of vulnerable communities, swift prosecution of terrorists and their collaborators, and measurable justice for victims.
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HURIWA therefore urges the Federal Government to abandon the temptation of celebrating questionable security milestones while innocent Nigerians continue to pay the ultimate price for insecurity.
History will not judge this administration by optimistic speeches, impressive percentages or carefully crafted narratives. History will judge it by whether Nigerians became safer, whether terrorists were decisively defeated, whether kidnappers were brought to justice, and whether citizens could once again live, travel and work without fear.
Until that happens, claims that Nigeria has achieved a 65 to 70 per cent security success rate remain, at best, detached from reality and, at worst, profoundly insensitive to the suffering of the Nigerian people.
