The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Security Adviser (NSA) to urgently track down and arrest individuals in Northern Nigeria who are circulating videos inciting violence against Christians and Southerners residing in the region.
In a statement released on Wednesday and signed by Emmanuel Onwubiko, National Coordinator, HURIWA expressed grave concern over the viral social media videos calling for attacks on Southerners and Christians as retaliation for the recent killing of 16 Northerners in Uromi, Edo State.
HURIWA warned that any outbreak of violence resulting from these threats could have severe consequences, potentially triggering a cycle of reprisals across Southern Nigeria and escalating into civil conflict.
The group urged security agencies to take proactive measures to apprehend the instigators before the situation spirals out of control.
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“The media is awash with reports of certain individuals in Northern Nigeria circulating hate-filled messages through social media videos.
“These individuals are advocating for violent retaliation against Southerners and Christians residing in the North, purportedly as revenge for the killings in Uromi, Edo State,” HURIWA said.
One of the viral videos reportedly features an unidentified man giving a 48-hour ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu and Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, demanding immediate action to find and punish those responsible for the killings.
He warned that failure to act would result in violent retaliation against Southerners in the North.
The group also noted that another disturbing instance involves a man allegedly wearing a Nigeria Police uniform, who took to Facebook to threaten revenge against Southerners for the deaths of Northerners in Uromi.
HURIWA expressed shock and disappointment over the apparent silence from the DSS and the office of the NSA regarding these ominous threats, questioning why security forces have yet to intervene.
“It is shocking that the DSS and the NSA have maintained a frightening silence about these provocative and inflammatory messages. Are the security forces waiting for the threats to be carried out before taking action?” HURIWA questioned.
The civil rights group called for immediate and decisive action to arrest the agitators and forestall any outbreak of violence.
HURIWA stressed that such threats must be taken seriously and addressed promptly to prevent potential bloodshed.
