By JKNewsMedia
WORSENING INSECURITY across Nigeria has prompted Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) to call on the Federal Government to treat the situation as a direct threat to democracy, the rule of law and the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the organisation made the call in a statement marking the 33rd anniversary of June 12, 1993, and 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule as contained in a statement signed by Robert Egbe, Media and Communication Officer, CAPPA.
The organisation warned that no democracy can flourish when citizens live under the constant threat of kidnapping, terrorism, banditry, communal violence and other forms of criminality.
“Democracy cannot thrive where people are afraid to travel on highways, send their children to school, cultivate their farms, operate businesses, or participate in elections,” said Zikora Ibeh, CAPPA’s Assistant Executive Director.
It also lamented the continued spread of kidnapping for ransom across the country, stating that persistent mass abductions, including attacks on schools and educational institutions, pose a grave danger to national growth and development.
According to available data cited by CAPPA, no fewer than 4,722 people were abducted in 997 kidnapping incidents between July 2024 and June 2025.
It also said at least 762 people lost their lives in kidnapping related incidents during the same period, while Nigerians paid an estimated N2.57 billion in ransom over the course of the year.
CAPPA said the continued targeting of children, women and young girls remains particularly troubling, adding that many remain separated from their families for extended periods under traumatic conditions.
It also said videos circulating on social media showing Nigerians in captivity being beaten, tortured, humiliated and forced to make desperate appeals for ransom payments have shocked the nation and exposed the human cost of the security crisis.
“No Nigerian should have to plead for their life before a camera while criminal groups operate with impunity. No parent should have to endure the agony of not knowing whether a kidnapped child will return home alive. These tragedies represent a profound failure of the state’s most fundamental responsibility, which is the protection of life and property,” Ibeh stated.
CAPPA called on the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the immediate release of all Nigerians currently held in captivity and ensure those responsible are apprehended and prosecuted.
“All criminal elements must be made to understand that Nigeria and its people are out of bounds. No group should be allowed to terrorise communities and undermine national life without facing the full consequences of the law.”
The organisation also urged government authorities to communicate more regularly and compassionately with the public on efforts being made to rescue abducted persons and prevent future attacks.
“While security operations often require discretion, the current shortage of official information is fuelling rumours, anxiety, and a growing sense of abandonment among affected families and communities. Nigerians deserve reassurance that every available resource is being deployed to bring their loved ones home safely.”
CAPPA said the persistence of insecurity could significantly undermine voter participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Citizens who fear violence are less likely to engage in civic activities or turn out to vote. Communities displaced by insecurity face additional barriers to electoral participation. A democracy cannot be considered fully representative when large numbers of citizens are effectively excluded by fear and insecurity.”
The group called for greater investment in intelligence gathering, community policing, inter community surveillance and early warning systems, stronger collaboration between security agencies and local communities, improved welfare for security personnel and more effective prosecution of criminal networks.
It also urged government at all levels to address the structural conditions that fuel violence, including poverty, youth unemployment, corruption, weak institutions, environmental degradation, resource conflicts and social exclusion.
As Nigerians commemorate June 12, CAPPA said the promise of democracy cannot be separated from the security and welfare of citizens.
“The significance of June 12 lies in its affirmation that sovereignty belongs to the people. That promise loses meaning when citizens cannot move freely, sleep peacefully, send their children to school, or participate in public life without fear.
“Defending democracy therefore requires defending the lives and dignity of Nigerians. The government must act with urgency to rescue those in captivity, dismantle criminal networks, and restore public confidence.
That is the minimum obligation of any democratic state and the standard by which Nigerians will continue to judge their democracy.”
—
