HURIWA criticizes military’s focus on dialogue, demands probe into sexual harassment in Army

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the Nigerian Armed Forces for what it describes as “shadow chasing” in their approach to tackling the persistent attacks in Plateau State.

The civil rights group expressed dismay over the military’s efforts to broker peace-building meetings between local communities and Fulani settlers, accusing them of diverting from their core duty of safeguarding the nation.

HURIWA’s criticism comes in response to comments made by Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, Commander of Operation Safe Haven, who during a meeting with the Butura community, advocated for inter-ethnic harmony.

While the organization acknowledges the importance of civil-military relations, it argues that such dialogues should not replace the military’s responsibility to apprehend the terrorists responsible for massacring over 200 villagers during the Christmas Eve attacks last year.

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In a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA stressed that peace-building can only be effective if the perpetrators of the mass killings are arrested and brought to justice, warning against prioritizing dialogue over security operations.

The group also called on the Nigerian Army to collaborate more closely with the police and intelligence agencies to combat the rising infiltration of non-state armed actors.

In a separate demand, HURIWA urged the National Assembly to hold a public hearing on sexual harassment cases within the military, following disturbing allegations by former soldier Private Ruth Ogunleye.

Ogunleye accused senior officers, including the Chief of Army Staff, General Taoreed Lagbaja, of sexual harassment and called for greater transparency in investigating these claims.

HURIWA criticized the military’s history of covering up such incidents, insisting that an independent probe is necessary for true accountability.

The group’s dual call for justice – both for the victims of terrorism and for female soldiers facing abuse – underscores its broader push for reforms and accountability within Nigeria’s security apparatus.