June 12: CAPPA Says Insecurity Threatens Nigeria’s Democratic Gains

As Nigeria marks the 33rd anniversary of the June 12, 1993, and 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule on Friday, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the Federal Government to treat the country’s worsening insecurity as a direct threat to democracy, the rule of law, and the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement to mark the day, the organisation warned that no democracy can flourish when citizens live under the constant threat of kidnapping, terrorism, banditry, communal violence, and other forms of criminality.

“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,” Zikora Ibeh, CAPPA’s Assistant Executive Director, said.

The organisation lamented the continued spread of kidnapping-for-ransom across the country, noting that persistent mass abductions, including attacks on schools and educational institutions, poses a grave danger to national growth and development.

According to available data, no fewer than 4,722 people were abducted in 997 kidnapping incidents between July 2024 and June 2025, while at least 762 people lost their lives in kidnapping-related incidents during the same period. Nigerians also paid an estimated N2.57 billion in ransom to kidnappers over the course of the year.

Particularly troubling, CAPPA said, is the continued targeting of children, women, and young girls, many of whom remain separated from their families for extended periods under traumatic conditions. The group said videos circulating on social media, showing Nigerians in captivity being beaten, tortured, humiliated, and forced to make desperate appeals for ransom payments, have shocked the nation and exposed the 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 immediate release of all Nigerians currently held in captivity and ensure that those responsible 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 terrorise communities and undermine national life without facing the full consequences of the law.”

The organisation also urged government authorities to communicate more regularly and compassionately with the public on efforts being made to rescue abducted persons and prevent future attacks.

“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 noted that the persistence of insecurity could significantly undermine voter participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“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 group called for greater investment in intelligence gathering, community policing, inter-community surveillance and early warning systems, stronger collaboration between security agencies and local communities, improved welfare for security personnel, and more effective prosecution of criminal networks.

It also urged government at all levels to address the structural conditions that fuel violence, including poverty, youth unemployment, corruption, weak institutions, environmental degradation, resource conflicts, and social exclusion.

As Nigerians commemorate June 12, CAPPA stressed that the promise of democracy cannot be separated from the security and welfare of citizens.

“The significance of June 12 lies in its affirmation that sovereignty belongs to the people. That promise loses meaning when citizens cannot move freely, sleep peacefully, send their children to school, or participate in public life without fear.

“Defending democracy therefore requires defending the lives and dignity of Nigerians. The government must act with urgency to rescue those in captivity, dismantle criminal networks, and restore public confidence. That is the minimum obligation of any democratic state and the standard by which Nigerians will continue to judge their democracy.”