HURIWA Challenges Tinubu to Name, Shame, Prosecute Sponsors of Terrorism

•Asks Army to release detained journalist, Segun Olatunji

Chuks Okocha and Alex Enumah in Abuja

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has challenged President Bola Tinubu to name, shame and prosecute the sponsors of terrorism, saying it was becoming clearer that forces of anti-democracy funding the activities of terrorists had upped their game.

It, however, counselled the Tinubu-led government not to allow itself to be blackmailed into giving in to the illegitimate demands of those out to protect and promote terrorists and their evil acts.

The rights group, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, noted that the latest kidnapping of villagers in Kajuru, Kaduna State could be one amongst their game-plans to force Tinubu into accepting their deal.

HURIWA said in the light of the above concerns, the federal government should as a matter of priority and national interest name, shame and commence the prosecution of sponsors of terrorism and terrorists.

He stressed that exposing the funders of terrorists would mark the best first step to destroying the sophisticated network of terrorism franchises in Nigeria.

The group noted that the patrons of the terrorists has started using mass abductions of villagers and school children as bargaining chips to advance their advocacy for the establishment of the Amnesty programme for Fulani terrorists as is being canvassed by some northerners.

Meanwhile, HURIWA has demanded the immediate release of the Editor of FirstNews online newspaper, Mr. Segun Olatunji, by the army.

Olatunji was reportedly taken away by armed men in Army uniforms at the weekend.

HURIWA, in a statement specifically called on the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, to release forthwith or state publicly why Olatunji is being held.

The group expressed worry that once again, Nigeria has returned to the dreaded days of the late General Sani Abacha type of media repression and the abductions of media practitioners.