Odita Sunday 
Rising Terror Attacks, Abducted Schoolchildren Trigger Fresh Outrage as HURIWA Blasts Security Leadership
By Odita Sunday
The continued captivity of abducted schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno States has sparked fresh criticism of Nigeria’s security management, with the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) accusing government authorities of failing to translate promises into concrete security outcomes amid worsening attacks across the country.
In a statement issued on Thursday, by Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko,
National Coordinator
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA expressed what it described as “profound outrage and disappointment” over the inability of the Federal Government and affected state governments to secure the release of schoolchildren abducted more than a month ago by terrorists and criminal elements.
The association described the prolonged captivity of the children as a national tragedy and humanitarian emergency, arguing that the development raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of Nigeria’s security architecture.
According to HURIWA, while families and concerned citizens continue to endure uncertainty over the fate of the victims, authorities responsible for protecting lives and property have yet to provide convincing assurances or visible progress.
The group said the escalating pattern of terrorist attacks, kidnappings, killings and violent assaults across parts of the country has been met largely with official statements and political rhetoric rather than measurable results.
HURIWA warned that the repeated targeting of schools has become one of the most disturbing dimensions of Nigeria’s insecurity challenge, noting that learning environments are increasingly turning into vulnerable spaces for attacks by terrorists and criminal gangs.
The association argued that the inability to rescue the abducted children from Oyo and Borno States within a reasonable period sends a dangerous message that criminal groups can act with impunity while citizens remain exposed.
Reflecting on the broader security situation, HURIWA stated that since the inception of the current administration, Nigeria has recorded recurring incidents of terrorism, banditry, kidnappings for ransom, attacks on farming communities, assaults on security formations and violent incursions into rural settlements.
It maintained that thousands of Nigerians have either lost their lives, sustained injuries, been displaced or suffered economic hardship due to the deteriorating security environment.
The association further lamented that despite repeated incidents, no top security official has been held accountable for operational shortcomings, insisting that effective democracies impose consequences for persistent security failures.
HURIWA argued that counterterrorism efforts cannot succeed without clear performance indicators, periodic evaluation and accountability mechanisms, stressing that security leadership should be assessed based on outcomes rather than public declarations.
The group challenged the Federal Government to provide a comprehensive and transparent account of the security situation nationwide, including data on citizens killed, kidnapped, injured or displaced by terrorists, bandits and other violent criminal groups since the present administration assumed office.
It also urged the National Assembly to intensify oversight of the security sector and ensure that funds allocated for defence, intelligence gathering and internal security are effectively utilized.
HURIWA called on governors, especially those in affected states, to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve community engagement and deepen collaboration with federal security agencies to prevent further attacks and accelerate rescue operations.
The association cautioned against politicising insecurity or suppressing public concerns, insisting that citizens expect concrete action, transparent leadership and visible results.
It further warned that rising kidnappings risk creating what it termed a “deadly ransom economy,” where criminal enterprises flourish because of weak deterrence and inadequate prosecution of offenders.
HURIWA demanded immediate intensification of rescue efforts for all abducted schoolchildren and other victims in captivity, urging government to deploy available technological, intelligence and operational resources to secure their safe return.
The association also advocated a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s security architecture, establishment of performance benchmarks for security chiefs and stronger accountability mechanisms for operational failures.
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