HURIWA condemns Sokoto terror attack, urges tech-driven security strategy

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned in strong terms the terrorist attack on Kwalajiya Village in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, which reportedly claimed the lives of over 20 residents, calling it a chilling reminder of Nigeria’s fragile internal security architecture.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, HURIWA described the incident as a tragedy of monumental proportions, urging the federal and state governments to deploy technology-driven security measures and overhaul counter-terrorism efforts to prevent further mass killings in rural communities.

The rights group criticized the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for what it described as “abysmal failure” to protect vulnerable populations from heavily armed criminal groups that now roam rural areas with impunity.

“The Sokoto State government and President Bola Tinubu must be reminded that their primary constitutional responsibility is to protect lives and property. It is disheartening that bloodthirsty terrorists are allowed to kill innocent citizens without swift military or police response,” HURIWA said.

According to media accounts cited by the group, the gunmen stormed the village in the early hours of Tuesday, opening fire on residents and setting houses ablaze. Eyewitnesses, speaking anonymously, described the assault as harrowing, with multiple casualties including women and children.

The village head, reportedly targeted by the attackers, is said to have fled to Sokoto city and is currently in hiding, with his exact condition unknown.

Confirming the attack, the Public Relations Officer of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufae, acknowledged the incident but declined further comment, citing an ongoing investigation.

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While the official motive remains unclear, HURIWA referenced media reports suggesting that the violence may have been triggered by the village head’s reported refusal to approve intermarriages between local residents and individuals linked to the Lakurawa terrorist group.

These claims remain unconfirmed, and the group urged investigators to probe every possible angle.

HURIWA decried what it called the continued deterioration of security in Sokoto State, emphasizing the growing influence of terrorist cells in rural regions and the urgent need for federal intervention.

“It is inexcusable that armed groups can operate freely in villages, carry out attacks, and vanish without trace. This attack underscores the urgent need for the military and police to implement proactive, technology-enabled strategies to detect, deter and neutralize terror threats before they strike,” the group said.

In a rare call for direct accountability, HURIWA demanded that the families of each victim be compensated with N100 million by both the state and federal governments.

“Those who lost loved ones deserve not just justice, but also compensation for their pain and suffering. We demand N100 million for each bereaved family, and we urge the government to make this a precedent to show that lives matter in Nigeria.”

HURIWA also demanded the arrest and prosecution of all perpetrators, calling their actions “cowardly, despicable, and reprehensible”. The group maintained that national security agencies must abandon reactive postures and adopt predictive, intelligence-led approaches to tackle the worsening security crisis.

As insecurity continues to ravage rural Nigeria, the Kwalajiya tragedy has once again highlighted the need for bold, systemic reforms in the nation’s security and governance structures.