HURIWA raises alarm over alleged crackdown on critics, demands activists’ freedom

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has accused the Federal Government of drifting toward authoritarianism, alleging that security agencies are targeting and detaining civil rights activists.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, HURIWA alleged that the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Police, and other agencies were deploying state power to silence critics and criminalise dissenting opinions. The group cited the cases of Omoyele Sowore, Mark Chidiebere, and others as examples of what it described as attacks on constitutional freedoms.
HURIWA specifically referenced the reported arrest of activist Mark Chidiebere over comments concerning the feeding and welfare of troops battling terrorists. The organisation described him as a “prisoner of conscience,” noting that similar concerns had also been publicly expressed by both serving and retired military officers.
According to the group, rather than addressing the welfare challenges facing troops risking their lives daily, security agencies were focusing on pursuing citizens who speak out on uncomfortable issues.
HURIWA also urged President Bola Tinubu to reduce feeding and welfare allocations for the Presidency, the Vice President’s office, and other top government officials by at least 50 percent, and channel the funds toward improving the welfare of troops on the frontlines. It described the gap between the living conditions of political office holders and soldiers as “morally indefensible.”
The association further expressed concern over what it termed increasing executive influence on public institutions, including the judiciary, claiming it was contributing to politically motivated prosecutions.
HURIWA called on the international community, including the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), and European Union (EU), to closely monitor Nigeria’s democratic and human rights situation. The group demanded the immediate and unconditional release of detained activists, an end to the harassment of dissenting voices, respect for constitutional freedoms, and independent investigations into alleged abuses by security agencies.
“Democracy dies when citizens become afraid to speak,” HURIWA National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, stated.