The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately stop the ongoing deradicalisation and reintegration of former Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, describing the programme as “a crime against humanity” and a sabotage of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism laws.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, the Rights group criticised what it called the Federal Government’s failure to contain escalating terrorism across the country, especially the rising attacks on schools. It insisted that the continued reintegration of former terrorists endangers innocent citizens and undermines national security efforts.
HURIWA argued that it is “unthinkable” for a government mandated to secure lives and property to simultaneously “pet and encourage terrorists” through reintegration programmes instead of prosecuting them for crimes against humanity. The group accused the authorities of creating an avenue for “state-sponsored terrorism.”
The organisation also urged President Tinubu to sign an Executive Order enforcing the withdrawal of police officers attached to private individuals, noting that many VIPs pay for these services, depriving communities of adequate police presence.
According to HURIWA, the order should include strict penalties for Commissioners of Police and even the Inspector-General of Police if they fail to comply.
The group expressed deep concern over what it termed growing resentment in communities where former insurgents are being resettled. It referenced the recent reintegration of 500 ex-fighters in Borno State and noted that Operation Safe Corridor, initiated in 2016, has so far facilitated the surrender of more than 35,000 Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters and their families.
Authorities maintain that reintegration of deradicalised fighters is crucial to securing lasting peace in the North-East, but HURIWA insisted the programme has led to further violence.
The association also dismissed claims of successful reunification, arguing that many so-called repentant fighters “have rejoined Boko Haram or ISWAP after being reintegrated.”
HURIWA further criticised peace agreements reportedly pursued by governors in Kaduna and Katsina with bandits, calling such negotiations unlawful and detrimental to the fight against terrorism. The group urged President Tinubu to direct the military to intensify operations and root out saboteurs within its ranks.
The Rights group also reminded the President that previous administrations ordered the withdrawal of police guards from VIPs, but such directives were ignored at the police hierarchy level. It stressed the need for a binding Executive Order to guarantee compliance.
HURIWA referenced President Tinubu’s recent directive withdrawing police from VIP protection duties and redeploying them to core policing functions. Under the new arrangement, VIPs in need of protection are to request personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. The President has also approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers and is collaborating with states to upgrade training facilities.
The association, however, expressed scepticism about compliance, noting that similar directives by past presidents failed due to lack of enforcement.
HURIWA also cited recent insecurity data showing that at least 635 people were killed and 182 abducted across Nigeria in May 2025, making it the deadliest month of the year, according to HumAngle Tracker. The figure represents a 7.6 per cent increase from April, when 590 deaths were recorded.