The Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organisation (GAFAMORG) and the National Coalition Against Mass Abductions, Atrocities, Killings, Extra-Judicial Killings, Mob Action and Impunity (NCAMKI) have declared September 5 a National Civil Day of Remembrance in honour of Nigerians who have lost their lives or disappeared as a result of violence and impunity.

The groups said the day, which coincides with the anniversary of the death of late human rights lawyer and activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, is intended to keep alive the memories of victims of mass killings, abductions, disappearances, extra-judicial killings and mob violence.

Fawehinmi died on September 5, 2009, after decades of campaigning for justice, human rights and the protection of ordinary Nigerians.

In a joint statement issued on Saturday and signed by Comrade Tunde Agunbiade for GAFAMORG and NCAMKI, and Comrade Ade Adewunmi Adeoye for GAFAMORG, the organisations said the best way to honour Fawehinmi was to continue his struggle for justice and accountability.

“Behind every statistic is a name. Behind every name is a family. Behind every family is pain,” the groups said, stressing that victims should not be reduced to numbers.

They said remembrance should go beyond mourning, arguing that it must lead to truth, justice, accountability and institutional reforms.

The organisations called on the Federal and state governments to investigate unresolved cases of killings, abductions and disappearances, compensate victims’ families and reform the country’s security and justice systems.

As part of activities to mark the day, GAFAMORG and NCAMKI urged Nigerians nationwide to observe a minute of silence at noon for victims of violence and disappearance.

They also called on citizens to light candles, torches or phone lights at 7 p.m., read the names of victims, wear black or white ribbons and share the stories of victims on social media without using graphic images.

Churches, mosques, schools, unions and markets were encouraged to organise 30-minute vigils, prayers or discussions focused on violence, justice and the need to end impunity.

The groups also urged Nigerians to support their campaign for official recognition of September 5 as a National Civil Day of Remembrance.

Appealing to journalists, the organisations asked the media to keep unresolved cases in the public eye by reporting the nationwide minute of silence, documenting candle-lighting activities, interviewing victims’ families and following unresolved cases until justice is served.

“Do not let the headlines end and the justice end,” they said. The groups also expressed solidarity with families of victims, assuring them that their loved ones would not be forgotten.

“We see you. We hear you. You are not alone. Your loved ones were not statistics. Your demand for truth and justice is legitimate,” they said.

GAFAMORG and NCAMKI further called on the government to address what they described as systemic weaknesses in intelligence gathering, policing, prosecution, witness protection, the courts and victim support.

They warned that a justice system in which criminals escape accountability would continue to produce more victims.

The organisations, however, cautioned citizens against taking the law into their own hands, stressing that the fight against insecurity and impunity must remain within the law.

“We will fight kidnapping. We will fight banditry. We will fight extra-judicial killings. We will fight mob action. We will fight impunity,” they said.

“But we will not fight impunity with impunity.”
They maintained that no criminal, police officer, vigilante or government should be above the law and the Constitution.

The organisations said September 5 should therefore serve not only as a day to remember the dead but also as a renewed commitment to defending the living, seeking justice for victims and strengthening institutions to prevent future atrocities.

“We remember. We will not forget. We will not keep quiet. We will continue the struggle,” they said.