ABUJA — The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has called for a comprehensive, whole-of-society approach to tackling terrorism and violent extremism in Northern Nigeria, stressing that military and security operations alone cannot resolve the country’s complex security challenges.
National President of the CDHR, Comrade Yinka Folarin, made the call on Thursday at the Northern Nigeria Strategic Conference on Human Rights and Counterterrorism, held at the Nigerian Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja.
Folarin said the persistent threat of terrorism required a coordinated response that goes beyond conventional security measures, noting that the social, economic and ideological factors contributing to insecurity must also be addressed.
He said defeating terrorism and violent extremism would require stronger collaboration among governments, security and intelligence agencies, civil society organisations, traditional and religious institutions, development partners, the private sector and local communities.
According to him, a coordinated approach involving all sectors of society would strengthen Nigeria’s ability to prevent radicalisation, improve community resilience and address the root causes of violent extremism.
Folarin said the CDHR, with nearly four decades of experience in human rights advocacy, remained committed to working constructively with government and other stakeholders to promote peace, accountability, democratic governance, resilience and meaningful dialogue between citizens and the state.
He urged participants at the conference to engage sincerely and develop practical, evidence-based and implementable recommendations capable of strengthening Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts while safeguarding fundamental human rights.
The CDHR president maintained that human rights and national security should not be regarded as competing interests, but as complementary foundations for lasting peace, stability and sustainable development.
“Let this conference strengthen partnership and demonstrate that human rights and national security are complementary foundations for lasting peace and sustainable development,” Folarin said.
He commended the organisers, police authorities, security and intelligence agencies, development partners and participating organisations for their commitment to promoting peace, security and human rights in the country.
In his keynote address, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Femi Falana, SAN, also highlighted the need for a security framework that combines effective counter-terrorism measures with strict adherence to constitutional rights and the rule of law.
Falana stressed that the effectiveness of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts should be measured not only by the ability of security agencies to neutralise threats, but also by their commitment to due process, accountability and the protection of citizens’ fundamental freedoms. He noted that security measures that disregard the rule of law could undermine public confidence and weaken the cooperation required to combat terrorism and other forms of violent crime.
He further called for stronger institutional accountability and greater coordination among security agencies, government institutions and civil society organisations in addressing the root causes of insecurity. According to him, a sustainable security strategy must combine effective law enforcement with justice, good governance, respect for human rights and meaningful engagement with affected communities.
In his remarks at the conference, the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, disclosed that sustained anti-banditry operations by the Nigeria Police Force in the North-West had resulted in the recovery of more than 3,000 rustled cattle in Zamfara State.
Disu, who was represented at the event by Deputy Inspector General of Police Abdul Sileiman, said the recovery was among the outcomes of sustained police operations aimed at disrupting bandit activities and restoring security in communities affected by criminality across the region.
The development highlights ongoing efforts by security agencies to tackle banditry, cattle rustling and other forms of organised crime that have continued to threaten lives, livelihoods and economic activities in parts of Northern Nigeria.
The Inspector General’s representative said sustained operations, intelligence gathering and cooperation with communities remained critical to disrupting criminal networks and recovering property stolen from residents.
Cattle rustling has remained a major security and economic concern in parts of the North, with the crime contributing to economic losses, displacement, communal tensions and the weakening of rural livelihoods.
The conference brought together representatives of security and intelligence agencies, civil society organisations, community leaders, traditional and religious institutions and other stakeholders to examine the security challenges confronting Northern Nigeria.
Speakers stressed that while the government and security agencies must take decisive action against terrorism, banditry and violent extremism, such operations must be conducted within the framework of the Constitution and the rule of law.
They argued that respect for human rights and due process would strengthen public confidence in security institutions, promote accountability and encourage communities to provide vital intelligence to law enforcement agencies.
Participants also called for greater community engagement, stressing that local communities must be actively involved in the design and implementation of security strategies affecting them.
They noted that intelligence-led policing and strong community relationships were essential to preventing attacks, identifying criminal networks and improving early warning mechanisms.
The stakeholders further emphasised the need to address the underlying conditions that create an environment conducive to insecurity, including poverty, unemployment, social exclusion, weak community protection mechanisms, criminal networks and the spread of extremist ideologies.
Participants at the conference maintained that the fight against terrorism, banditry and violent extremism must not undermine the fundamental rights that security agencies are mandated to protect.
They argued that sustainable security could not be achieved solely through military and police operations, stressing the importance of justice, accountability, community participation, good governance and respect for human dignity.
According to them, strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring accountability within the security architecture would help build public trust and create a more sustainable foundation for national security.
PCRC Calls for Public Support for Security Personnel
The National Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Alhaji Mogaji Olaniyan, and other stakeholders called on Nigerians to recognise and support the sacrifices being made by police officers and other security personnel in protecting lives and property.
They stressed that security personnel operate under difficult and often dangerous conditions and require the cooperation and confidence of the communities they serve.
The stakeholders said improved relations between the police and members of the public would contribute to more effective policing, particularly in communities where insecurity has weakened trust between residents and security institutions.
They urged Nigerians to support lawful security operations while also encouraging citizens to report suspicious activities and provide relevant information to the appropriate authorities.
The conference concluded with a renewed call for closer collaboration among government institutions, security agencies, civil society organisations, development partners, traditional and religious leaders, the private sector and local communities in addressing insecurity.
Participants expressed optimism that stronger cooperation would improve intelligence sharing, strengthen public confidence in security institutions and contribute to more effective responses to terrorism, banditry and violent extremism.
Folarin also expressed optimism that the conference would produce impactful and practical outcomes capable of strengthening collaboration among stakeholders and addressing the interconnected security and human rights challenges confronting Northern Nigeria.
Participants reaffirmed that the protection of fundamental human rights must remain central to Nigeria’s security strategy, stressing that national security and human rights should be pursued as complementary objectives.
They maintained that a sustainable solution to insecurity would require not only stronger security operations but also accountable governance, economic opportunities, social inclusion, community resilience and respect for the dignity and rights of all Nigerians.
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