Nigeria's Security Crisis: "History Will Judge You" – IHRC Issues Bold Warning to National Assembly

 

The International Human Rights Commission – Relief Fund Trust (IHRC-RFT), Nigeria Chapter, has issued a powerful and somber ultimatum to the National Assembly (NASS), warning that history will judge Nigeria’s democratic institutions by their tangible response to the nation's escalating security challenges. In a press statement released on Saturday, February 21, 2026, the Commission expressed deep concern over the disconnect between passionate legislative rhetoric and the grim reality of "blood and tears" still being shed by citizens across the federation.

​A Call for Accountability: From Rhetoric to Results

​The IHRC’s warning centers on a critical observation: nearly four months after a series of high-profile legislative interventions, measurable improvements in security remain elusive. The Commission specifically referenced a courageous floor speech by Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa in November 2025, where he declared that Nigeria was "running in blood and tears."

​While the IHRC commended Doguwa for his non-partisan and responsible leadership in highlighting the crisis, they raised a pointed question to the leadership of the National Assembly: "Where does this matter currently stand?" The Commission argued that when the constitutional responsibility to protect life and property is raised on the floor, it must trigger immediate institutional oversight and strategic accountability, rather than just becoming a entry in a legislative journal.

​The Human Cost of Insecurity in 2026

​The IHRC’s statement painted a harrowing picture of the current state of the nation, noting that the frequency of violent incidents continues to rise across multiple regions. The fallout of this insecurity includes:

• ​Displacement: Entire communities have been forced to flee their ancestral homes.
• ​Agricultural Collapse: Farmers have largely abandoned their lands for fear of kidnapping or death, directly threatening national food security.
• ​Attacks on Worship Centers: Sacred spaces have become targets for violent non-state actors.
• ​Economic Stagnation: Insecurity remains the single largest barrier to the "Renewed Hope" development agenda.

​According to Amb. Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu, the IHRC Country Director, the time for "lamentations" has passed. The Commission’s directive to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate is clear: the Nigerian people need to see visible, decisive, and legislative-backed action that translates into safety on the streets.

​The National Assembly’s Recent Moves

​While the IHRC criticizes the slow pace of change, the National Assembly has shown signs of fiscal pushback. Recently, the Joint Committee on the Air Force rejected the 2026 budget proposal for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), labeling the funding as "insufficient" to provide the firepower required to crush banditry and insurgency. Lawmakers are demanding a surge in security funding to ensure modern equipment and advanced weaponry reach the front lines.

​However, as the IHRC points out, funding alone is not a panacea. There is a growing demand for the purging of "moles and saboteurs" within the security apparatus and a complete overhaul of the security architecture to move from a reactive to a preventive stance.

​The International Eye: Diplomacy and Human Rights

​The IHRC also warned that Nigeria’s global reputation is at stake. With international partners and foreign governments closely monitoring the situation—and some even threatening military or diplomatic sanctions over religious freedom and insecurity—the National Assembly’s response is a key indicator of the country's stability.

​The Commission urged the legislative arm to exercise its oversight functions with greater vigor. This includes summoning security chiefs for transparent progress reports and ensuring that the billions of naira allocated to the defense sector are utilized effectively and accountably.

​Conclusion: A Legacy at Stake

​The IHRC's message serves as a reminder that political office is a trust, and the most fundamental part of that trust is the safety of the governed. As 2026 progresses, the members of the 10th National Assembly face a choice: to be remembered as the body that stood by while the roof burned, or as the leaders who took the decisive steps necessary to restore peace.

​As Amb. Adamu concluded, "Inaction is a choice, and history is a meticulous record-keeper." The ball is now firmly in the court of the NASS leadership to prove that their words on the floor carry the weight of action in the field.