Odita Sunday 
HURIWA Urges Defence Ministers to Quit Tinubu Campaign Council, Focus on Insecurity
By Odita Sunday
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has urged the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, and the Minister of State for Defence, Senator Bello Mattawalle, to withdraw from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s campaign council and devote their full attention to the worsening security situation across the country.
The rights group said the continued involvement of the two ministers in political campaign activities at a time of increasing attacks, killings and abductions could send the wrong signal to Nigerians and raise concerns about the government’s priorities.
HURIWA, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, expressed particular concern over the reported abduction of worshippers during Friday prayers in Dekara village, Niger State.
The association condemned the reported abduction of women, children and elderly persons, describing the incident as an unacceptable violation of their fundamental rights.
It also expressed concern over reports of a video allegedly showing hundreds of abducted persons circulating on social media.
While noting that the reported number of abductees, as well as the authenticity and location of the video, required official verification, HURIWA said the reports were grave enough to warrant an urgent and coordinated response from the Federal Government.
The group therefore called on the Federal Government and the Niger State Government to intensify efforts to establish the whereabouts of the abducted worshippers and secure their safe release.
It further demanded urgent action to rescue Nigerians being held captive by armed groups in Borno, Niger, Kogi and other affected states.
Government Must Put Security Above Politics
HURIWA said the primary responsibility of the Defence Ministry at a critical period such as this was to strengthen the capacity of the military and other security agencies to protect Nigerians and defeat terrorism, banditry and other forms of violent crime.
The association consequently described it as inappropriate for ministers responsible for defence to allow political campaign activities to distract from the country’s pressing security challenges.
It called on President Tinubu to demonstrate that the protection of Nigerian lives remained a priority by directing all officials responsible for national security to concentrate on their constitutional duties.
HURIWA also urged the government to intensify efforts to protect vulnerable communities in Benue, Plateau and other states affected by recurring attacks.
The rights group condemned attacks on civilians irrespective of the identity, religion or ethnic background of victims or perpetrators.
It said the killing of Christians, Muslims and members of other faiths and communities must be rejected, while urging security agencies to thoroughly investigate every attack and bring perpetrators to justice.
HURIWA Demands Coordinated Rescue Operation
The association called for a coordinated rescue operation for Nigerians being held by terrorists, bandits and kidnappers, stressing that the government must provide accurate and timely information to families of victims.
According to HURIWA, families and communities should not be left to depend on unverified reports and social media videos for information about the whereabouts of their loved ones.
The group further called for stronger intelligence gathering, improved coordination among security agencies and greater protection for schools, places of worship and vulnerable communities.
HURIWA stressed that the fight against terrorism and kidnapping must not be politicised, insisting that the lives of Nigerians must take precedence over electoral calculations and political interests.
It urged the Federal Government to act decisively to protect citizens, rescue those in captivity and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions.
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