By Eunice Emeyazia
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on the Federal Government to move against ethnic militias and unregulated private security formations ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that such groups could become instruments of political intimidation and electoral violence.
The rights organisation said Nigeria cannot afford to have competing security structures operating outside the country’s constitutional framework as political activities intensify ahead of the next presidential election.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, HURIWA also condemned a reported declaration by the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, restricting presidential candidates other than President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from campaigning in Osun State.
The group described the reported position as incompatible with democratic principles and urged security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that all candidates recognised under Nigerian law are able to campaign freely across the state.
HURIWA argued that traditional rulers and political actors have no constitutional authority to determine which presidential candidates voters may hear, receive or support.
HURIWA Questions Security Outfit Funding
The organisation also raised concerns over a reported ₦100 million donation and a new Hilux vehicle by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to the Iru Ekun Security Network, a community security initiative linked to Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.
HURIWA said it was not opposed to legitimate community efforts to protect lives and property, but called for transparency regarding the group’s legal status, command structure, operational mandate and accountability mechanisms.
The organisation said community security initiatives must operate within clearly defined legal boundaries and should not evolve into private armed structures capable of influencing political activities through force or intimidation.
It called on the Federal Government and security agencies to establish clear and uniform rules for community security outfits across the country.
‘Equal Treatment Under the Law’
HURIWA also questioned what it described as possible inconsistencies in the government’s treatment of ethnic-affiliated security organisations.
The group referenced the government’s previous security operations against structures associated with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), arguing that the same standards should apply to every group regardless of ethnicity or political affiliation.
HURIWA said the government should explain how it intends to ensure equal application of security laws where different ethnic or community security formations are involved.
Its position is that political loyalty or electoral considerations must not determine whether a security formation is tolerated or subjected to enforcement action.
The organisation therefore renewed its call for a comprehensive review of ethnic-based security outfits operating across Nigeria.
Call to Disarm Illegal Armed Groups
HURIWA urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct security agencies to investigate allegations of illegal possession, movement or use of arms by private or ethnic security groups.
It warned that such formations could become particularly dangerous during the 2027 election period if used to intimidate voters, restrict opposition campaigns or influence polling environments.
The organisation said action should be taken before the election campaign season reaches its peak rather than waiting for security challenges to escalate.
HURIWA Seeks Probe Into Alleged Missing Persons
The rights group also called for investigations into allegations by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) and the Ekwenche Research Institute that thousands of families in the South-East are allegedly searching for relatives who disappeared after being taken into the custody of security agencies since 2021.
HURIWA described the allegations as serious and said they should be independently investigated rather than dismissed.
It called on the National Assembly and the Houses of Assembly in the South-East to examine the claims and urged the National Human Rights Commission to investigate within its statutory mandate.
The organisation also appealed to international human-rights organisations to independently assess the allegations where appropriate.
HURIWA stressed that allegations of enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention or extrajudicial killings require investigation irrespective of the ethnicity, region or political affiliation of the alleged victims.
‘No Ethnic Group Is Above the Law’
HURIWA said Nigeria’s response to insecurity should not result in the creation of competing ethnic armies.
Instead, it called for a single constitutional security architecture backed by clear laws, professional command structures, democratic oversight and accountability.
The organisation urged the Federal Government to guarantee that no ethnic militia would be allowed to operate as a parallel army, while ensuring that traditional institutions do not restrict lawful political campaigns.
It also called for equal protection for all presidential candidates, political neutrality by security agencies and credible investigations into allegations of unlawful detention and enforced disappearances.
HURIWA warned that the erosion of democratic freedoms can begin long before election day when citizens lose the freedom to organise, campaign, speak and choose without intimidation.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the organisation said the government must act early to prevent private security formations, political thuggery and ethnic militias from becoming tools of electoral violence.
