The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called for the immediate removal of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Service Chiefs and heads of intelligence agencies following the reported abduction of students during a National Examinations Council (NECO) examination at Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The group said the latest attack, which reportedly left a teacher dead, another injured and several students abducted, demonstrated the failure of the country’s security architecture despite repeated government assurances that insurgents had been substantially degraded.
In a statement issued on Monday by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA questioned the continued retention of top security officials amid persistent attacks on schools, communities and critical infrastructure across the country.
According to the organisation, the attack on students writing public examinations represented a direct assault on Nigeria’s future and highlighted what it described as the inability of security agencies to provide adequate protection for citizens.
The rights group asked President Bola Tinubu to explain why senior security officials remained in office despite recurring incidents of terrorism, banditry and kidnappings.
“What exactly are the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, intelligence chiefs and other strategic security coordinators still doing in office if they cannot secure schools, protect children and prevent terrorists from operating freely within Nigerian territory?” HURIWA asked.
The organisation argued that the incident was particularly troubling because it occurred in Borno State, the epicentre of Nigeria’s counter-insurgency campaign, where government authorities have repeatedly claimed significant progress against insurgent groups.
It maintained that the ability of armed attackers to invade a school during a national examination and abduct students raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of existing security measures.
HURIWA said security should not be assessed through official statements or statistical reports but through the ability of citizens to live without fear.
The group noted that many communities across the country continue to face attacks from terrorists, bandits and kidnappers, while farmers, traders, travellers and students remain vulnerable.
It therefore urged President Tinubu to undertake a comprehensive review of the nation’s security framework and subject all senior security officials to performance assessments based on measurable outcomes.
The association further called for the immediate deployment of security personnel and intelligence assets to facilitate the rescue of the abducted students and arrest those responsible for the attack.
It also demanded an investigation into possible intelligence and operational lapses that may have contributed to the incident.
According to HURIWA, repeated attacks on educational institutions risk undermining school attendance and reversing gains made in expanding access to education, particularly in conflict-affected regions.
The group added that the Federal Government must move beyond expressions of sympathy and implement practical measures to protect schools and other vulnerable public institutions.
“The time for excuses has expired. The time for accountability is now,” the statement added.