By Willies Ugo, Gombe
Gombe Nigeria – May 28, 2025
Ahead of Nigeria’s 2025 National Day of Mourning on May 28, a coalition of human rights activists has issued a formal petition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, state governors, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, demanding urgent action to address the country’s deteriorating security situation.
The network, which monitors violence nationwide, reports that between January and May 2025 alone, over 2,800 people have been killed and more than 660 abducted. This follows a grim record from 2019 to 2024, during which at least 30,200 deaths and 20,678 abductions linked to mass violence were recorded.
In a strongly worded letter obtained from Sylvester Yibis, a network leader in Northeast Nigeria, the activists highlighted the failure of government security agencies to protect citizens’ constitutional rights to life and dignity, citing widespread killings, kidnappings, and forced disappearances.
The group drew attention to the intensification of attacks in the North Central region, marked by genocidal pillages and targeted killings, with violence spreading to the North West, North East, and Southern states. They also raised alarms over newly emerging terror groups such as Lakurawa and Mahmuda, which now operate with impunity—exerting control over communities, collecting illegal levies, and demanding ransoms.
The petitioners urged government officials to fulfill their constitutional mandate under Section 14(2)(b) to ensure the security and welfare of all Nigerians. They called for comprehensive investigations and prosecution of all perpetrators of violent crimes, including those linked to post-election violence in 2023, irrespective of political, ethnic, or religious affiliations.
Furthermore, the activists recommended disrupting financial networks supporting terrorism, addressing systemic drivers of violence such as poverty and marginalization, improving infrastructure and education in conflict-prone areas, and providing welfare and psychosocial support to frontline security personnel.
The coalition also advocated for the dignified treatment of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in accordance with constitutional and international humanitarian obligations, and the empowerment of community-led safety initiatives to strengthen local security responses.
Concluding their appeal, the network expressed solidarity with families affected by violence and reiterated their commitment to advocating for justice, peace, and accountability.
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