As the nation marked its 65th Independence Anniversary, the League of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Kano State has called on government at all levels to recommit to the principles of justice, security, and accountability, warning that Nigeria remains on a “precarious path” despite recent progress in the fight against terrorism and corruption.
In a statement endorsed by the 22-member group and issued during the celebrations on Wednesday, the league said that while Independence Day should be a moment of pride and unity, many Nigerians are instead weighed down by insecurity, institutional decay, and waning public trust.
The league acknowledged breakthroughs in counter-terrorism operations, including the arrest of leaders of the Mahmuda terrorist group and the rescue of more than 128 kidnap victims in Zamfara.
It also welcomed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s plan to roll out a revised counter-terrorism strategy in October, focusing on intelligence-sharing, technology-driven surveillance, and community-based security.
However, it warned that insecurity in the North West, particularly banditry, kidnappings, and mass killings, continues to undermine national stability.
The league cited data showing that at least 2,266 people were killed by insurgents and armed bandits in the first half of 2025, already exceeding the total number of casualties recorded in 2024.
Zamfara alone has recorded more than 467 abductions since last year.
“These conditions are crippling farming, shuttering rural markets, and displacing communities,” the League stated, noting projections that over 33 million Nigerians could face severe food insecurity this year.
“It also highlighted the ongoing farmer-herder crisis, which has claimed more than 15,000 lives since 2010 and continues to destabilise agriculture, a sector that contributes 28% of Nigeria’s GDP.
Beyond insecurity, the League raised concerns about widespread corruption and governance failures. Nigeria lost crude oil worth N8.41 trillion between 2021 and July 2025 through theft and metering deficiencies, it said, resources greater than the entire 2025 national health budget.
Public trust in state institutions, particularly the judiciary, was described as “alarming.”
Citing surveys, the league noted that over half of Nigerians believe judges are corrupt, while Transparency International’s 2024 ranking placed Nigeria among the most corrupt nations globally.
“The perception, and often the reality, of ‘justice for sale’ undermines the rule of law and democracy itself,” the League warned.
On the way forward, the coalition outlined three areas of urgent reform: comprehensive security restructuring, judicial integrity, and fiscal transparency.
It called for investment in drone and satellite surveillance, stronger community policing, the creation of special courts for banditry and terrorism cases, and greater accountability in the judiciary.
It also urged open contracting, autonomy for anti-graft agencies, and a decisive crackdown on oil theft networks.
“Independence must not be measured solely by years, but by the extent to which governance delivers justice, security, and prosperity.
“The Nigerian Dream is still within reach, but only if leaders show boldness, fairness, and accountability,” the group said.
The League pledged to support reforms while holding leaders accountable, stressing that “the time for rhetoric has passed, the time for action is now.”
Endorsed by:
- Comrade Bala Abdullahi Gaduwama – Wuro Development Concerns (WDCN)
- Yusha’u Sani Yankuzo, Esq. – Centre for Human Rights and Social Advancement (CEFSAN)
- Mohammed Bello – African Centre for Innovative Research and Development (Afri-CIRD)
- Abdulkadir Musa Hausawa – Youth Enlightenment Forum
- Adeniyi Aremu – Civil Society Organization for Conflict Resolution in Nigeria (CS-CRIN)
- Sani Ilyas Abdullahi, Esq – Joint Action Front (JAF), Kano State
- Comrade Fatima A. Ibrahim – United Action for Democracy (UAD), Kano State
- Comrade Khadija Hudu A. – Justice, Accountability and Rights Advocacy Centre
- Abba Bello Ahmed – Campaign for Democracy (CD), Kano State
- Comrade Idris Ibrahim Unguwar Gini – Kano Youth Promotion Council
- Comrade Moh’d Sani Garba – Pay it Forward Initiative
- Fatima Muhammad – Gender Inclusive and Development Support Initiative, Kano
- Aminu Sani Muhammad, Esq. – Rule of Law and Justice Advancement Network (ROLJAN)
- Comrade M. K. Adam – Societal Based Initiative for Rights Peace and Development (SOBIRPED)
- Buhari Abubakar Usman – Centre for Legal Orientation and Humanitarian Aid (CELOHA)
- Abdullahi Yahaya, Esq. – Publish What You Pay (PWYP), Kano State
- Comrade Auwal Salisu – Centre for Awareness Reorientation and Empowerment (CARE-Africa)
- Umar Isa Sulaiman, Esq. – Frontier for Gender Advocacy, Accountability & Empowerment Initiative
- Maryam Garba Usman – Centre for Gender and Social Inclusion (CAGSI)
- Fatima Chabir Aliyu, Esq. – Community Based Equal Justice Initiative
- Comrade Salisu Ibrahim Sa’eed – Kano Youth Integrity Forum
- Comrade Baraya Garba Hassan – Centre for Education Health and Entrepreneurship Development (CEHED) Nigeria
