By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), the national chapter of Transparency Inter...
By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), the national chapter of Transparency International Nigeria, has expressed serious concern over Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation, particularly the recurring attacks on schoolchildren and the increasing strain on the country’s security institutions.
In a statement issued by CISLAC’s Executive Director and Head of Transparency International (Nigeria), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the organisation warned that what he described as an “uncoordinated and politicised” security strategy by the government is deepening instability and leaving millions of citizens, especially children, exposed to avoidable danger.
Rafsanjani noted that the Nigerian Army remains heavily deployed across almost all states, despite constitutional provisions that place primary responsibility for internal security on the police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Department of State Services (DSS). He attributed the security sector’s weakness to corruption, overreliance on the military, years of neglect, inadequate equipment, poor welfare systems, and weak cooperation among agencies, which together have undermined Nigeria’s overall security response.
The CISLAC chief condemned the recent abductions in Kebbi State and the kidnapping of pupils of St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Niger State, describing the attacks as direct assaults on education and the future of Nigerian children. He said the abductions exacerbate the country’s troubling rate of out-of-school children and compromise the dignity and safety of young Nigerians.
Rafsanjani also criticised the diversion of police officers to serve politicians and private individuals at the expense of vulnerable communities and schools. He argued that the commercialisation of police roadblocks has turned security points into centres of extortion rather than protection, urging authorities to dismantle such checkpoints and redeploy officers to areas where they are genuinely needed.
Expressing concern about the increasing politicisation of law enforcement, he cited incidents in Abuja where police officers were seen supporting rival political factions and cases in which large numbers of officers were assigned to individuals instead of communities. According to him, such developments reflect weakened police leadership and encourage irresponsible political behaviour.
CISLAC and Transparency International (Nigeria) called for comprehensive security sector reforms, including accountability, enhanced intelligence gathering, modern equipment, improved welfare, professional conduct, and stronger interagency coordination. Rafsanjani urged the government to adopt effective early warning and response mechanisms, noting that many attacks occur despite clear warning signs.
He further questioned the effectiveness of the Nigeria–U.S. Bi-National Commission, a platform created to strengthen cooperation on security, governance, trade, and investment, arguing that Nigeria must address its internal governance and security gaps before expecting external partnerships to yield meaningful results. Rafsanjani also criticised political defections and the extravagant celebrations that often accompany them, stating that such events reflect insensitivity at a time when Nigerians are being kidnapped, displaced, or killed.
The statement called for coordinated action by the federal government, security agencies, community leaders, civil society organisations, and international partners to rescue abducted schoolchildren in Kebbi and Niger states, prevent further attacks, and implement urgent reforms to restore professionalism in security operations and rebuild public trust. Rafsanjani warned that Nigeria cannot continue to operate under weak and uncoordinated security structures, insisting that decisive action is necessary to protect the lives, dignity, and future of all citizens.
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