The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently consider stepping aside over what it described as a catastrophic failure of leadership in securing the lives and property of Nigerians, following renewed deadly attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province in the North-East.
In a strongly worded statement issued in Abuja, HURIWA said the reported killing of Brigadier-General Oseni Braimah and several soldiers during coordinated insurgent attacks in Borno State represents a dangerous escalation that exposes deep vulnerabilities within Nigeria’s military architecture.
The statement signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko warned that the ability of insurgents to allegedly overrun a military base signals a troubling level of penetration and operational boldness by terrorist groups.
HURIWA stated that while the Defence Headquarters claimed the attack was repelled, conflicting field reports suggesting heavy casualties, including a senior commander, point to a widening credibility gap and the urgent need for transparency and accountability in military communications.
The Association stressed that since President Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, Nigeria has witnessed an alarming escalation in terrorist violence, banditry, and communal bloodshed, resulting in mass civilian casualties and repeated humiliation of the nation’s armed forces.
Citing data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, HURIWA stated that nearly 30,000 Nigerians have been killed in violent incidents across the country since 2023.
The group further referenced the Global Terrorism Index by the Institute for Economics and Peace, which shows that terrorism-related deaths in Nigeria surged significantly in the past year, with the country now ranking among the most terrorised nations globally.
HURIWA listed a series of major attacks that underscore what it described as the failure of the Tinubu administration’s security strategy.
These include the massacre of about 162 civilians in Kwara State in 2025, the killing of roughly 100 residents in Yelwata, Benue State, and over 1,300 deaths recorded in Plateau State from persistent waves of violence. The group also cited the December 2023 drone strike in Kaduna State that claimed the lives of at least 85 civilians, as well as repeated reports that insurgents have overrun multiple military bases in the North-East in recent years.
According to the group, these incidents demonstrate not only the increasing lethality of attacks but also the expanding geographical spread of violence across Nigeria, with both rural and urban communities now under constant threat.
HURIWA argued that the continuous killing of soldiers, including senior-ranking officers, reflects a deeper institutional crisis within the Nigerian military and exposes the inability of the current administration to provide effective leadership and strategic direction in the fight against terrorism.
HURIWA criticised President Tinubu for retaining service chiefs whom it described as underperforming, despite the persistent deterioration in national security. It argued that the lack of decisive restructuring within the military leadership has contributed to operational stagnation and declining morale among troops.
“The Commander-in-Chief has a constitutional obligation to protect lives and property. The consistent failure to meet this fundamental duty raises legitimate questions about his capacity to lead Nigeria through its worsening security crisis,” the group stated.
The Association also pointed to the recent travel advisory by the United States Department of State, which warned American citizens to reconsider travel to Nigeria and authorised the evacuation of non-essential embassy staff from Abuja, as a troubling international signal of declining confidence in Nigeria’s security environment.
HURIWA described the U.S. action as “ominous,” suggesting that it reflects intelligence-based concerns about imminent threats that may not yet be fully acknowledged by Nigerian authorities. It warned that such advisories risk damaging Nigeria’s global reputation, discouraging investment, and undermining economic recovery efforts.
The group dismissed official assurances that ongoing military offensives indicate progress, arguing instead that the increasing frequency and sophistication of insurgent counterattacks demonstrate systemic failure rather than desperation by terrorists.
While acknowledging President Tinubu’s public condolences to fallen soldiers and his call for resilience among troops, HURIWA said such statements, though symbolic, fall short of addressing the structural deficiencies plaguing Nigeria’s security framework.
“Condolences without concrete results cannot substitute for effective leadership. Nigerians are tired of rhetoric while communities are attacked, soldiers are killed, and territories remain unsafe,” the statement added.
HURIWA called for sweeping reforms across Nigeria’s security sector, including a complete overhaul of military leadership, enhanced intelligence coordination, improved welfare for troops, and a clearly defined, results-driven counterterrorism strategy.
The group also urged Nigerians to exercise their constitutional rights by peacefully demanding accountability from the government. It specifically called on the Nigeria Labour Congress to mobilise workers nationwide for mass protests against the persistent killings and insecurity across the country.
According to HURIWA, “national silence in the face of mass killings is no longer acceptable,” stressing that civic pressure remains a critical tool in compelling government action.
The association concluded that if President Tinubu is unable to decisively reverse the current trajectory of insecurity, “he should honourably give way to a more capable and vibrant leadership that can rescue Nigeria from the brink.”
As violence continues to spread beyond traditional conflict zones and public frustration deepens, HURIWA warned that the time for decisive action is now, cautioning that failure to act swiftly could push Nigeria toward a deeper national crisis.
