The Nigeria Integrity Watch, a coalition of civil society organisations, has faulted SERAP’s petition to UN Secretary-General António Guterres asking the UN Security Council to address Nigeria’s security situation.
National Convener Dr John Samuel Nangi said SERAP should redirect its advocacy toward exposing terrorism financiers instead of “presenting the entire country in a negative light.”
In a statement, Nangi described SERAP’s position as unfair, counterproductive and capable of damaging Nigeria’s image internationally.
“Escalating the country’s security challenges to the UN Security Council would have negative implications for ordinary Nigerians who have no role in the insecurity,” he argued.
“If SERAP truly wants to contribute to the fight against insecurity, it should direct its energy towards exposing and reporting those individuals linked to terrorism financing through appropriate international channels instead of portraying the entire country as unable to manage its affairs.”
The group maintained the Federal Government has continued deploying resources and personnel against terrorism, banditry and criminality.
“While security challenges persist, portraying the government as complicit in terrorism amounts to a distortion of facts and an unfair assessment of ongoing efforts by security agencies,” Nangi stated.
He also questioned SERAP’s “silence on individuals who have at various times been linked to negotiations and engagements with armed groups,” urging accountability groups to apply standards “across board and avoid selective activism.”
“Nigeria’s enemies are those who finance, sponsor and aid criminal elements. Not the government that is investing resources daily to protect lives and property,” the convener said.
The coalition stressed insecurity predates the current administration and urged civil society to adopt “constructive engagement” and evidence-based criticism through institutional channels.
“Strengthening institutions and targeting criminal sponsors remains the most effective path towards ending insurgency, banditry and violent crimes,” Nangi concluded, calling on SERAP to reconsider and support efforts to identify and prosecute terror financiers.
