The Nigeria chapter of the International Human Rights Commission – Relief Fund Trust (IHRC-RFT) has raised alarm over the deepening insecurity in Zamfara State and across the country, calling on Nigerians from all walks of life to come together in moral, spiritual, and collective action to restore peace and stability.
The group’s call comes on the heels of a recent statement by Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, who lamented that despite credible intelligence reports on bandit movements in the state, responses from security agencies are often delayed due to the need for clearance from “higher authorities.”
Describing the situation as not just a security issue but a humanitarian crisis, IHRC-RFT called for urgent and holistic intervention. The organisation stressed that the growing level of violence and fear among citizens, particularly in the North-West, should no longer be met with bureaucracy, excuses, or silence.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, signed by its Country Director, Ambassador Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu, the IHRC-RFT urged faith leaders, traditional rulers, politicians, and ordinary citizens to take responsibility in combating insecurity.
The statement specifically called on Muslim and Christian clerics to speak truth to power and remind leaders and followers alike of their accountability before God.
“They must remind all of us—especially our leaders—that power is a trust and a test from God. No position, gun, or wealth can save any of us from the reality of death and the hereafter,” the statement read.
The group also urged traditional rulers to resist any temptation to collaborate with criminals and instead act as moral guides and defenders of their communities.
“As custodians of our conscience, traditional institutions must stand firm and not turn a blind eye when bandits, kidnappers, and other criminals threaten peace,” it added.
Addressing directly those involved in banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism, IHRC-RFT called on them to reflect on their actions, stressing that no amount of material gain or power can shield them from divine judgment.
“We appeal to them to stop, reflect, and repent. Let them remember that nothing—no gun, no money, no gang—can prevent the reality of death and the life after,” the group stated.
Beyond individual responsibility, the group charged the Federal Government to adopt more people-centered and decisive measures in dealing with insecurity, especially in rural and conflict-prone areas like Zamfara.
IHRC-RFT warned that injustice, neglect, and bureaucracy in the fight against insecurity only serve to embolden criminal elements.
“Security is not just about armed forces and weapons. It’s about justice, fairness, and accountability. When people feel abandoned or unheard, they become vulnerable to violence,” the statement noted.
The organisation called for a “national awakening” and return to moral values, divine consciousness, and human compassion in addressing the root causes of insecurity.
While government action is crucial, IHRC-RFT emphasized that the general public must also play its part by remaining steadfast in prayers, promoting good deeds, and supporting community safety.
“Security is everyone’s responsibility. Communities must unite, support each other, and never give room to fear, hatred, or hopelessness,” the group said.
The IHRC-RFT concluded its message by expressing solidarity with all victims of violence across Nigeria, urging the nation to reflect and return to its core values of justice, faith, and humanity.
“We stand with every mother who has lost a child, every village under threat, every student abducted, and every Nigerian living in fear. This is a call not just to action but to conscience,” the statement ended.
