Groups seek broader strategy to tackle terrorism, banditry

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The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights and the Police Community Relations Committee have called for a comprehensive, whole-of-society approach to tackling terrorism, banditry and insecurity in Northern Nigeria.

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They insisted that military and security operations alone cannot resolve the country’s complex security challenges.

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The call was made at the Northern Nigeria Strategic Conference on Human Rights and Counterterrorism in Abuja on Tuesday.

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Speaking at the conference, National President of the CDHR, Yinka Folarin, said the persistent threat of terrorism required a coordinated response that goes beyond conventional security measures, stressing that social, economic and ideological factors driving insecurity must also be addressed.

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He said defeating terrorism and violent extremism would require stronger collaboration among governments, security and intelligence agencies, civil society organisations, traditional and religious institutions, development partners, the private sector and local communities.

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Folarin maintained that human rights and national security should not be regarded as competing interests, but as complementary foundations for lasting peace and development.

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“Military and security operations alone cannot resolve the country’s complex security challenges.

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“The persistent threat of terrorism required a coordinated response that goes beyond conventional security measures, the social, economic and ideological factors contributing to insecurity must also be addressed,” Folarin said.

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He urged participants to engage sincerely and develop “practical, evidence-based and implementable recommendations” capable of strengthening Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts while safeguarding fundamental human rights.

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The National Chairman of the PCRC, Mogaji Olaniyan, called on Nigerians to recognise and support the sacrifices made by police officers and other security personnel in the course of protecting lives and property.

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He said security personnel operate under difficult and dangerous conditions and require the cooperation and confidence of the communities they serve.

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Olaniyan urged Nigerians to support lawful security operations while also reporting suspicious activities to appropriate authorities,

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He said, “Nigerians should recognise and support the sacrifices being made by police officers and other security personnel in protecting lives and property.

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“Security personnel operate under difficult and often dangerous conditions and require the cooperation and confidence of the communities they serve.

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“Improved relations between the police and members of the public would contribute to more effective policing, particularly in communities where insecurity has weakened trust between residents and security institutions.”

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