The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has urged the Federal Government to treat Nigeria’s worsening insecurity as a direct threat to democracy, the rule of law and the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
The organization made the call in a statement marking the 33rd anniversary of the June 12, 1993 presidential election and 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule in Nigeria.
CAPPA warned that democracy cannot thrive in an atmosphere of fear, violence and widespread criminality.
The group expressed concern over the growing incidence of kidnapping, terrorism, banditry, communal clashes and other forms of insecurity across the country, noting that these challenges continue to undermine citizens’ confidence in democratic governance.
“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” CAPPA’s Assistant Executive Director, Zikora Ibeh, said.
The organization lamented the continued spread of kidnapping-for-ransom and described persistent mass abductions, particularly attacks targeting schools and educational institutions is a serious threat to national development.
According to CAPPA, available data indicate that no fewer than 4,722 people were abducted in 997 kidnapping incidents between July 2024 and June 2025, while at least 762 persons lost their lives in kidnapping-related incidents during the same period. The group added that Nigerians reportedly paid an estimated N2.57 billion in ransom to kidnappers within the year under review.
CAPPA noted that the continued targeting of children, women and young girls remains particularly disturbing, with many victims spending prolonged periods in captivity under traumatic conditions.
The organization also referenced videos circulating on social media showing abducted Nigerians being beaten, tortured, humiliated, and compelled to appeal for ransom payments, describing the footage as evidence of the severe human cost of the country’s 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 release of all Nigerians currently held in captivity and ensure that those responsible for kidnappings and other violent crimes 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 terrorize communities and undermine national life without facing the full consequences of the law” the organization said.
The group also urged government authorities to improve public communication regarding rescue efforts and security operations, arguing that the lack of regular official information has contributed to anxiety among affected families and communities.
“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 added.
The organization further warned that the persistence of insecurity could significantly affect voter participation ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to CAPPA, fear of violence and displacement may discourage many citizens from engaging in civic activities and exercising their voting rights.
“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 statement noted.
CAPPA called for increased investment in intelligence gathering, community policing, inter-community surveillance, early warning systems, and improved collaboration between security agencies and local communities. The organization also urged governments at all levels to address the structural drivers of insecurity, including poverty, youth unemployment, corruption, weak institutions, environmental degradation, resource conflicts, and social exclusion, stressing that the promise of June 12 can only be fulfilled when citizens are able to live, work, and participate in public life without fear.
