Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has urged the Federal Government to urgently adopt a new national security doctrine capable of protecting lives and property, stressing that safeguarding citizens remains the primary responsibility of the state.

According to the group, the survival of Nigeria depends on decisive leadership, a new security doctrine and a comprehensive war against terrorism. It added that anything short of this would only embolden the enemies of our nation.

HURIWA condemned the escalating wave of terrorist attacks across the country, declaring that the continued killing of security operatives and civilians is incontrovertible evidence that the current security strategy of the Federal Government has failed.

In a statement issued in Abuja by its national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the civil rights advocacy group asserted that the recent spate of deadly attacks from Plateau State to the North-East, demonstrates that Nigeria’s counter-terrorism architecture has collapsed under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.

It warned that the country risks descending further into chaos if urgent structural reforms were not implemented.

HURIWA was reacting to reports that no fewer than 20 security operatives and vigilantes were killed in an ambush by heavily armed bandits in Wanka and surrounding communities of the Garga axis in Kanam Local Council of Plateau State.

According to Kanam Development Association, the victims included 12 security personnel, among them two senior military officers, as well as eight vigilante members who were assisting security forces in protecting vulnerable communities.

The joint patrol team was reportedly travelling in two vehicles during a routine security operation covering the communities of Garga, Kyaram and Gyambau when hundreds of bandits ambushed them near Wankat about 2.00 pm on Friday, resulting in a deadly exchange of gunfire that left many of the operatives dead.

The group further cited additional reports of targeted killings in Plateau, including the brutal murder of traders travelling to a market in the Barikin Ladi axis. In that incident, gunmen reportedly stopped vehicles at an improvised checkpoint and interrogated passengers about their identity before opening fire on those who identified themselves as Hausa traders.

HURIWA therefore called for the immediate removal of the National Security Adviser (NSA), arguing that the country urgently requires a far more experienced military strategist capable of coordinating a comprehensive and decisive war against terrorism and organised armed violence.

According to HURIWA, a competent and battle-tested military general should be appointed to replace Nuhu Ribadu to restore strategic coordination among the armed forces, intelligence agencies and other security institutions.