CSOs slam FG over rising killings, abductions

A coalition of over 90 Nigerian Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) has marked the 9th National Day of Mourning by issuing a stark warning about the country's escalating insecurity. The groups collectively accused the government of failing in its constitutional mandate to protect lives and property, stating emphatically, "Nigerian lives matter."

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Nigerian lives matter.

The annual commemoration, which honors victims of mass atrocities and violent killings, has become a somber reminder of the state's persistent inability to curb widespread bloodshed. The CSOs highlighted that despite constitutional provisions placing the responsibility for citizen welfare and security on the state, insecurity has deepened nationwide. Figures cited from massatrocities.org reveal that since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took office in May 2023, approximately 19,980 people have been killed and 12,362 abducted in violent incidents. Additionally, at least 1,486 security personnel have died in active duty, and 865 students have been abducted from schools.

The coalition warned that these figures represent a systemic breakdown in protection mechanisms, violating citizens' fundamental rights to life and dignity as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution. They pointed to a pattern of recurring attacks across regions, with perpetrators allegedly operating with impunity and communities left without justice or adequate rehabilitation. "The persistence of these atrocities reflects deeper governance failures and the dangerous erosion of the value placed on human life," the statement read.

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The National Day of Mourning is a citizen-led initiative established to accord dignity to victims of mass atrocities and violent killings across Nigeria and to demand accountability from those constitutionally entrusted with the protection of lives and property.

Furthermore, the CSOs condemned the rising incidents of extrajudicial killings and civilian casualties during security operations, including repeated "accidental airstrikes" on communities, noting the limited accountability for such events. The coalition also questioned the efficacy of national security intelligence systems in preventing kidnappings and dismantling ransom networks, suggesting a significant gap in the government's response to the pervasive security crisis.

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The persistence of these atrocities reflects deeper governance failures and the dangerous erosion of the value placed on human life.