Nigeria’s worsening insecurity — from terrorism and insurgency to banditry and inter-communal violence — is not only tearing at the nation’s social fabric but also eroding the civil liberties of its citizens.
In a thought-provoking new work, “Rule of Law: Safeguarding Civil Liberties Amid Insecurity in Nigeria”, Barr. Nuhu J. Egya, Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association’s Citizens Liberties Committee, warns that the increasing militarization of governance and the use of repressive laws are undermining democratic freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution.
The paper examines how state responses to insecurity — including arbitrary arrests, press censorship, and restrictive legislation — have often bypassed due process, infringing on rights such as freedom of expression, assembly, and personal liberty.
It identifies troubling gaps in Nigeria’s legal and institutional frameworks, from vague laws and weak judicial independence to inadequate oversight of security agencies.
Egya argues that while combating insecurity is vital, doing so outside the framework of the rule of law only deepens public distrust and fuels unrest.
He calls for sweeping reforms to strengthen judicial independence, improve legislative oversight, and hold security forces accountable, while also encouraging community-based security strategies and participatory policymaking.
“The path to lasting peace and stability”, the work concludes, “lies not in sacrificing rights for security but in ensuring that both are protected together.”
The full article, which provides in-depth analysis and concrete recommendations, is hereby attached as a file for further reading.
When Security Silences Freedom: Nuhu Egya’s Call for Rule of Law in Nigeria
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