A coalition of civil society organisations has disclosed that no fewer than 19,980 persons have been killed, while at least 12,362 others were abducted across Nigeria since President assumed office in May 2023.

The coalition in a joint statement issued on Thursday to commemorate the 9th National Day of Mourning with the theme: “Nigerian Lives Matter.” And signed by 52 organisation cited data collated from massattrocities.org revealing that at least 1,486 security personnel have also been killed in active duty during the period.

The organizations include Global rights, Budget, Centre for Social Justice Center for Transparency Advocacy . Centre LSD,. Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Citizens Advocacy for Social & Economic Rights (CASER), Clean Technology Hub, CLEEN Foundation among others.

According to the report, at least 865 students have been abducted from schools across the country since 2023, while thousands of children remain displaced or out of classrooms, worsening Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis.

The coalition also expressed concern over alleged extrajudicial killings and civilian casualties during security operations, including repeated incidents of accidental airstrikes on civilian communities.

The groups stated that the figures, which exclude casualties from regular crimes such as armed robbery, highlight the severity of insecurity in a country “that insists it is not at war.”

They noted that from insurgency and terrorist attacks to kidnappings and extrajudicial killings, Nigerians across all regions continue to suffer violent attacks, while perpetrators operate “with boldness and impunity.”

The coalition said the persistent atrocities reflect deeper governance failures and the erosion of the value placed on human life.

“Communities are repeatedly attacked despite prior warnings and visible patterns of violence. Survivors are often left without justice, rehabilitation, compensation, or even acknowledgement from the state,” the statement read.

The organisations further warned that insecurity is worsening food inflation as farmers are unable to safely access their farmlands, while schools increasingly operate under fear of attacks and abductions.

It criticised what It described as the contradiction between the government’s surveillance capabilities and its inability to dismantle kidnapping and ransom networks operating across the country.

The groups further accused the political class of focusing more on permutations for the 2027 elections instead of addressing insecurity. “We remind them that corpses do not vote and that the erasure of communities means those wards cannot record verifiable votes,” the statement added.

The statement noted that the National Day of Mourning was established as a citizen-led initiative to honour victims of mass atrocities and violent killings, while demanding accountability from those constitutionally responsible for protecting lives and property.

The coalition called on the Federal Government to urgently fulfil its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property, prosecute perpetrators of violent crimes, strengthen intelligence gathering and rapid response systems, disrupt kidnapping and ransom networks, and provide humanitarian support for victims and displaced persons.

It also demanded improved protection for schools, farming communities, women, children and other vulnerable groups disproportionately affected by insecurity.

The organisations reaffirmed their commitment to amplifying the voices of victims and demanding accountability from public office holders.

“Nigeria cannot continue to gather annually to mourn the dead while failing daily to protect the living. We refuse to become desensitised to preventable killings. Nigerian lives matter,” the statement added. (The Guardian)

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