As Nigeria prepares for its 66th Independence anniversary on October 1, 2026, the Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Office of the National Security Adviser to urgently make public a validated national policy document on preventing and countering terrorism.
The organisation said the policy, which it stated was validated within the preceding year through the facilitation and coordination of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), should be approved and presented publicly to enable state and local governments to develop aligned policies for preventing and countering violent extremism.
In a press release signed by its Executive Director, Idris Miliki Abdul, in Lokoja, Kogi State, CHRCR warned that Nigeria’s response to violent extremism remains fragmented, with government institutions and security actors often operating without sufficient coordination, shared information systems or unified policy direction.
According to the organisation, insecurity is closely connected to governance failures, corruption, inequality, unemployment, poverty and perceived political exclusion. These conditions, it said, can create vulnerabilities that extremist groups exploit, making coordinated security measures and improved public welfare essential to lasting peace.
CHRCR observed that the growing number of statutory and non-statutory security agencies across different levels of government makes effective collaboration increasingly important. It argued that disconnected interventions can result in duplicated efforts, conflicting policies and inefficient use of public resources.
To address these challenges, the organisation advocated a harmonised national framework that brings federal, state and local authorities together around common objectives, clearly defined responsibilities, accountability mechanisms and measurable outcomes.
It called on the Federal Government, particularly the President and the Office of the National Security Adviser, to take urgent action on the policy document so that subnational governments can establish complementary strategies suited to their responsibilities and local security conditions.
The organisation also emphasised that counterterrorism efforts must respect constitutional rights and protect citizens’ welfare. It maintained that security measures cannot be separated from the responsibility to safeguard human rights, improve public services and make citizenship meaningful for all Nigerians.
Beyond security policy, CHRCR urged political parties, candidates, supporters and voters to respect electoral rules and individual choices ahead of the 2027 general elections. It said peaceful participation and credible electoral processes are essential to sustaining Nigeria’s democratic development.
As Nigeria approaches its 66th year of independence, the organisation’s appeal centres on a coordinated approach to security, stronger institutions, respect for constitutional rights and peaceful democratic participation.
CHRCR said these priorities require cooperation across government levels and society to address the conditions that fuel insecurity and strengthen the foundations for lasting peace and national development.
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