The Human Security Awareness and Intelligence Committee (HUSAIC), on Tuesday, called for tougher and more coordinated action against terrorism and banditry in Nigeria, warning that the country risks deeper instability if decisive measures are not urgently taken against terrorists, their financiers and what it described as “necropoliticians.”
The group, in a statement signed by its Director, Angel Folorunso, condemned the recent attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, including the killing of a teacher and the abduction of pupils and other teachers.
HUSAIC urged relevant authorities to intensify efforts toward securing the release of those still in captivity, reportedly held within the Old Oyo National Park axis.
The organisation also lauded the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their ongoing operations against insurgency and violent crimes across the country.
According to the group, Nigeria has reached a critical stage where insecurity, terrorism and politically motivated violence require urgent and uncompromising responses.
“Nigeria has reached a pain point where, if nothing drastic is done to descend heavily on terror, financiers and necropoliticians, the ship of the Fourth Republic might regrettably shatter,” the statement said.
The group expressed concern that preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections were gradually overshadowing strategic national conversations on security and counterterrorism.
It stressed the need for what it described as the “humanisation of politics,” noting that the protection of human lives should remain central to governance and political culture.
HUSAIC maintained that terrorism in Nigeria had evolved into a combination of domestic and international threats concentrated largely in rural and hinterland communities.
The committee identified kidnapping, banditry, suicide bombings, beheadings, enclave economies and psychological warfare as major tactics employed by terrorist groups and criminal networks operating in the country.
It called on the Federal Government to deploy all elements of national power in confronting insecurity, while avoiding what it termed religious fanaticism and politicisation of security issues.
The group also advocated stronger collaboration with international allies and support for indigenous security strategies aimed at dismantling violent non-state actors responsible for killings, displacement and human rights abuses.
HUSAIC recommended the adoption of an “Operation Occupy Your Streets” strategy to strengthen grassroots security and intelligence gathering across vulnerable communities.
The committee further urged authorities to intensify implementation of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and consider the application of the Doctrine of Necessity where required, particularly in forested rural areas allegedly used as hideouts by criminal groups masquerading as cattle rearers.
The group insisted that Nigeria must rise above political divisions and confront insecurity with urgency in order to safeguard national unity and democratic stability.
