31/05/2026
While Politicians Plot 2027, Nigerians Are Dying, CSOs Warn
A coalition of 95 civil society organisations has raised concerns over Nigeria's worsening security situation, accusing political leaders of focusing on the 2027 elections while thousands of citizens continue to lose their lives to violence across the country.
The groups made the remarks in a joint statement issued to mark the 9th National Day of Mourning, an annual citizen-led initiative dedicated to honouring victims of mass atrocities and violent attacks while demanding accountability from those charged with protecting lives and property.
Under the theme, "Nigerian Lives Matter," the coalition described the country's security challenges as a national emergency, stressing that the government's inability to effectively protect citizens amounts to a failure of its constitutional responsibility.
Citing data from the Mass Atrocities Tracker, the organisations said at least 19,980 people have been killed and 12,362 abducted in incidents of mass violence and attacks across Nigeria since May 2023.
The groups also noted that no fewer than 1,486 security personnel have lost their lives in the line of duty during the same period.
According to the coalition, the figures underscore the scale of a crisis that continues to threaten lives, livelihoods, and national stability.
The statement lamented that despite repeated warnings and visible patterns of violence, many communities remain vulnerable to attacks, while victims and survivors often receive little or no justice, compensation, or rehabilitation.
The organisations further warned that the impact of insecurity now extends beyond the death toll, affecting food production, education, and economic development.
They noted that persistent attacks have forced many farmers away from their farmlands, contributing to food shortages and rising inflation.
The groups also expressed concern over the increasing vulnerability of schools, revealing that at least 865 students have been abducted from educational institutions since 2023, while thousands of children remain displaced or out of school.
The coalition equally decried cases of extrajudicial killings, abuses by state actors, and civilian casualties during security operations, including incidents involving accidental airstrikes on communities.
While acknowledging the efforts of security agencies, the groups questioned the continued operation of kidnapping and ransom networks across the country, despite advances in surveillance technology and intelligence gathering capabilities.
While criticizing Nigeria's political leadership, the coalition said many political actors appear more preoccupied with electoral calculations for 2027 than with addressing the country's pressing security concerns.
The organisations argued that ongoing violence and the destruction of communities pose a direct threat not only to human lives but also to democratic participation and national cohesion.
As part of their recommendations, the groups urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to protect lives and property, strengthen intelligence gathering and early warning mechanisms, prosecute perpetrators of violent crimes, dismantle kidnapping-for-ransom networks, and improve protection for schools, farming communities, women, and children.
They also called for increased humanitarian assistance, compensation, and psychosocial support for victims, survivors, and internally displaced persons affected by violence.
The coalition expressed solidarity with grieving families, abductees, survivors, displaced persons, and security personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty, insisting that the country's recurring tragedies must not be normalised.
"Every victim represents a life that mattered, a family left behind and a community altered forever," the statement said.
The groups warned that Nigeria cannot continue to gather annually to mourn victims while failing to address the root causes of insecurity and protect those still at risk.
Reaffirming their commitment to promoting accountability and amplifying the voices of victims, the organisations called on government at all levels to take decisive and measurable actions to restore public confidence and ensure the safety and welfare of all Nigerians.
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