By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has warned President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government against any move to approve or legitimise a proposed security outfit being promoted by Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.

The civil rights group cautioned that recognising ethnic-based militias could deepen insecurity, worsen separatist tensions and threaten national unity.

In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA said Nigeria was already grappling with terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and separatist agitations, warning that endorsing private security structures with ethnic undertones could create dangerous consequences.

“HURIWA for the umpteenth time, strongly warns President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government against any move to approve, register or legitimise the proposed security outfit being promoted by Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho,” the statement said.

The organisation argued that the defence of Nigeria’s territorial integrity should remain the responsibility of constitutionally recognised security institutions rather than ethnic militias.

“HURIWA categorically states that the defence of Nigeria’s territorial integrity must never be privatised or outsourced to ethnic militias, no matter the justification being advanced,” the group stated.

According to HURIWA, the Nigerian Armed Forces possess the constitutional mandate and institutional capacity to tackle insurgency and insecurity if adequately equipped and professionally managed.

“What is required is not the creation of ethnic armies but the urgent overhaul of the nation’s security architecture through competent leadership, elimination of procurement corruption, acquisition of modern weapons and improved welfare for security personnel,” Onwubiko said.

The rights group warned that granting official recognition to a security outfit allegedly linked to separatist rhetoric could create a dangerous precedent and embolden other regional movements.

“It is both dangerous and politically reckless for the Federal Government to even contemplate granting official recognition to a security structure openly associated with separatist rhetoric and agitation for a Yoruba nation,” the statement added.

HURIWA further accused the Federal Government of applying double standards in its handling of separatist-linked groups, arguing that similar rules should apply to all organisations regardless of ethnic or regional affiliations.

“If IPOB and other separatist-linked organisations are considered threats to national security, then the same standard must apply across board,” the association said, referring to the Indigenous People of Biafra.

“The government cannot disband or suppress certain groups while simultaneously granting operational legitimacy to another ethnic-based outfit merely because it enjoys political proximity or regional advantage,” it added.

The organisation also called for the dismantling of all forms of private militias and armed groups operating outside constitutional security frameworks across the country.

“No democratic nation survives when armed groups loyal to ethnic champions, political actors or regional interests are allowed to flourish outside constitutional security structures,” HURIWA stated.

The association urged President Tinubu to prioritise reforms in intelligence gathering, border security, policing and military operations instead of considering recognition for regional militias.

“Rather than legitimising militias, President Tinubu should immediately restructure the nation’s security leadership by removing non-performing service chiefs and appointing competent, patriotic and professionally tested officers capable of leading an aggressive and intelligence-driven counterterrorism strategy,” Onwubiko said.

HURIWA warned that any attempt to formally recognise what it described as a separatist-linked militia could accelerate ethnic tensions and undermine Nigeria’s cohesion.

“Nigeria’s unity remains too fragile and too important to be endangered by political experimentation with private armies,” the statement added.