UN Envoy Blasts Nigeria’s Security Collapse, Warns Impunity Fuelling Cycle of Violence, Rights Breakdown

By: Michael Mike

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Nazila Ghanea, has delivered one of the starkest international assessments yet of Nigeria’s security situation, warning that entrenched impunity and collapsing accountability systems are fuelling a self-perpetuating cycle of violence across the country.

Speaking at the end of an 11-day official visit, Ghanea said Nigeria’s insecurity has moved beyond episodic attacks to a structural crisis characterised by mass killings, repeated displacement of communities, destruction of livelihoods and widespread erosion of public trust in state institutions.

She said what emerged consistently from her engagements with over 200 stakeholders — including government officials, security agencies, victims, civil society organisations and religious leaders — was a country struggling to contain overlapping threats of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal conflict and organised criminal networks.

According to her, the failure to ensure accountability for atrocities has created conditions in which violence is not only repeated but expands, leaving entire communities trapped in cycles of fear and survival.

“The absence of justice and accountability appears to be entrenching these cycles of violence and encouraging their spread,” she warned.

The UN envoy said victims across multiple regions described repeated attacks that destroyed entire villages, forced mass displacement and left survivors dependent on internally displaced persons’ camps with no clear path to return home.

She noted that many communities have suffered repeated assaults over the years, with some victims reporting displacement as many as six times, each time forced to rebuild their lives only to face renewed violence.

Ghanea also drew attention to disturbing accounts of armed groups allegedly imposing terms on rural communities, including arrangements in which residents surrender farmland and agricultural produce under coercion, deepening what she described as a breakdown of state protection in rural areas.

She warned that the scale and persistence of abductions — including kidnappings of children, clergy, traditional leaders, security personnel and political figures — has created a parallel economy of ransom and fear that further weakens state authority.

The Special Rapporteur said insecurity has also triggered the rise of vigilante groups, community defence networks and informal security structures, reflecting what she described as citizens’ growing loss of confidence in formal protection systems.

Ghanea further cautioned that the proliferation of arms and informal checkpoints risks blurring the line between community self-defence and criminal exploitation, warning that weak oversight could worsen insecurity.

Beyond violence, she raised concerns about structural issues affecting freedom of religion or belief, including the continued requirement in some administrative processes for citizens to declare their religion, saying such practices reinforce identity-based divisions and expose governance systems to political manipulation.

She also criticised the dominant framing of Nigeria as a rigid religious binary between a Muslim north and Christian south, describing it as an oversimplification that obscures the country’s internal diversity and fuels polarisation.

While acknowledging Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees of fundamental rights, Ghanea pointed to tensions arising from parallel legal and administrative systems in parts of the country, particularly around issues such as blasphemy, personal status laws and freedom of expression.

Despite her concerns, the UN envoy commended the resilience of affected communities, the efforts of civil society organisations and the work of interfaith initiatives aimed at promoting dialogue and coexistence.

She said Nigeria possesses the institutional capacity, human expertise and civic energy needed to reverse current trends, but stressed that urgent reforms are required to break what she described as the entrenched cycle of violence and impunity.

Ghanea confirmed that her full findings and recommendations will be submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council in March 2027.

UN Envoy Blasts Nigeria’s Security Collapse, Warns Impunity Fuelling Cycle of Violence, Rights Breakdown

Ekiti Poll: NSCDC Deploys 10,000 Personnel

By: Michael Mike

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 10,000 personnel, including elite tactical squads and K9 units, to Ekiti State ahead of the forthcoming governorship election, in a major security operation aimed at ensuring a peaceful and credible poll.

The deployment, announced on Wednesday by the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja, is part of the Corps’ efforts to guarantee a violence-free atmosphere and protect the integrity of the electoral process.

According to the NSCDC, personnel have been mobilised from several neighbouring states, including Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Ogun and Kogi, alongside operational reinforcements from Zones 11 and 6.

The Corps said its specialised units, including the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (SIS), Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit, Specialized Female Squad, Mining Marshals, Special Force and Crack Squad, as well as the K9 Unit, have been placed on high alert to detect and neutralise any security threats before, during and after the election.

To coordinate the operation, the Commandant General, Ahmed Audi has designated the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Operations, Ayuba Phillips, to personally lead the security exercise on the ground in Ekiti State.

Reaffirming the Corps’ readiness, the Commandant General said the security operation was designed to protect voters, election officials and other stakeholders and to prevent any form of electoral violence.

“Our mission in Ekiti State is definitive: to protect the integrity of the democratic process and guarantee the safety of every voter, election official, and citizen. We will tolerate no form of electoral violence, thuggery, or disruption. Our specialized squads and tactical forces are fully briefed and strategically positioned to maintain absolute law and order,” he said.

The NSCDC also disclosed that it is working closely with other security agencies to provide comprehensive security coverage throughout the election period, stressing that all personnel have been directed to maintain professionalism, neutrality and civility in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

The deployment comes amid heightened preparations for the governorship election, with security agencies under pressure to prevent voter intimidation, electoral violence and other disruptions that have occasionally marred elections in parts of the country.

The Corps urged residents of Ekiti State to conduct themselves peacefully, turn out to exercise their civic rights without fear and promptly report suspicious activities to security personnel.

Ekiti Poll: NSCDC Deploys 10,000 Personnel

Nigeria, UN Rally Global Support for Peace as IGP Honours Fallen Peacekeepers

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria has renewed its commitment to global peacekeeping and multilateral cooperation, with the United Nations and the Nigeria Police Force calling for greater investment in peacebuilding as the world confronts rising conflicts, insecurity and humanitarian crises.

The call was made on Wednesday during the commemoration of the 2026 International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers in Abuja, where the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohammed Fall and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, paid tribute to peacekeepers who have served and died in missions across the world.

Held under the theme “Invest in Peace,” the event brought together government officials, diplomats, security agencies, development partners and serving peacekeepers to celebrate the sacrifices and achievements of men and women deployed under the United Nations flag.

The United Nations described peacekeeping as one of the most enduring symbols of international solidarity, stressing that peace remains the foundation of sustainable development and human progress.

Speaking at the ceremony, the UN Resident Coordinator said peace was built not only through security interventions but also through investments in education, justice, social cohesion, youth empowerment and inclusive development.

“Every investment in peace is an investment in humanity,” the UN official said, citing the position of UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, that peace remains the foundation upon which sustainable development is built.

The UN noted that more than two million people have served in peacekeeping operations since 1948, while over 87,000 military, police and civilian personnel are currently deployed in missions around the world.

The world body also highlighted Nigeria’s impressive peacekeeping record, revealing that the country has contributed more than 200,000 military and police personnel to 41 peace support missions since the 1960s.

According to the UN, Nigeria currently has 335 uniformed personnel serving in United Nations operations, including 138 officers of the Nigeria Police Force.

The Resident Coordinator commended Nigerian peacekeepers for their professionalism and dedication in conflict zones, saying they had helped protect civilians, strengthen democratic institutions and support post-conflict recovery efforts across several countries.

“You carry trust. You carry the hopes of families you protect. You walk into difficult places so others can live in safety. You stand between uncertainty and stability,” the official told Nigerian officers serving under the UN flag.

In his remarks, IGP Disu paid glowing tribute to peacekeepers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of global peace and security.

He disclosed that since the establishment of UN Peacekeeping Operations in 1948, more than 4,500 peacekeepers have lost their lives while protecting vulnerable populations and helping stabilize conflict-affected societies.

“Peace is not free. It is often secured through extraordinary acts of courage, selflessness and dedication,” Disu said.

The police chief emphasized Nigeria’s longstanding contributions to international peace operations through the deployment of police officers to various United Nations missions across Africa and beyond.

According to him, Nigerian police personnel have distinguished themselves in areas such as civilian protection, electoral assistance, post-conflict reconstruction, institution building and community policing.

He said the professionalism displayed by Nigerian officers has earned the country international recognition and strengthened its standing as a responsible contributor to global peace and security.

Disu used the occasion to advocate increased investment in peacebuilding initiatives, arguing that preventing conflicts is more cost-effective and sustainable than responding to crises after violence has erupted.

“Investing in peace means strengthening institutions, promoting justice, protecting human rights and addressing the root causes of instability before they escalate into conflict,” he said.

The IGP also stressed the need for continuous training and capacity development for peacekeepers, noting that modern peace operations require personnel equipped with operational competence, mediation skills, cultural sensitivity and community engagement capabilities.

He further underscored the importance of increasing women’s participation in peacekeeping missions, saying inclusive peace processes produce more sustainable outcomes and strengthen the legitimacy of peace operations.

Disu paid special tribute to the families of peacekeepers, describing them as unsung heroes whose sacrifices and emotional support make international service possible.

The event also coincided with Nigeria’s renewed commitment to the principles and objectives of the United Nations Charter ahead of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Nigerian officials reiterated the country’s support for international cooperation, global peace efforts and ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening the effectiveness of the United Nations in addressing emerging global challenges.

The United Nations, meanwhile, commended the administration of President Bola Tinubu for efforts to promote peace, security and national stability, noting that peacekeeping abroad and peacebuilding at home are inseparable elements of sustainable development.

The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria through partnerships with government institutions, civil society groups, traditional leaders, women, youth and development partners to advance dialogue, human rights, humanitarian assistance and social cohesion.

Speakers at the ceremony agreed that peace should not merely be defined as the absence of war but as the presence of justice, opportunity and human dignity.

They stressed that investments in schools, healthcare, community development, youth empowerment and accountable institutions remain essential for preventing violence and building resilient societies.

As global conflicts, terrorism, displacement and political instability continue to challenge international peace and security, participants called for stronger cooperation among nations and renewed commitment to the ideals of the United Nations.

They maintained that the greatest legacy the current generation can leave behind is a peaceful world where future generations can live in safety, dignity and hope.

Nigeria, UN Rally Global Support for Peace as IGP Honours Fallen Peacekeepers