By DAYO ADESULU
Sowore Joins NBA Ikeja ‘Tiger Branch’ to Spotlight Mass Killings in Nigeria
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, on Thursday added his voice to the growing national outcry over mass killings in Nigeria, as he joined legal practitioners, security experts and civic leaders at the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja Branch Human Rights Day event.
The gathering, hosted by the renowned Tiger Branch, focused on the urgent need to defend the right to safety and security amid rising violence across the country. Sowore sat on a high-profile panel featuring retired naval officer Commodore Kunle Olawunmi, security researcher Kuti Ezebiro, PhD, and Justice Fadipe, who moderated the session with incisive questions on Nigeria’s worsening insecurity landscape.
Rising Insecurity Sparks Renewed Debate
The discussion opened with a sombre reflection on the persistent waves of abductions, communal attacks, terrorism, and banditry that have left thousands dead over the last decade. Speakers agreed that the scale of violence has reached an unacceptable level, and the failure of successive governments to create a safe environment has weakened public trust.
Sowore, known for his outspoken stance on governance and civic rights, argued that the protection of life is the most basic obligation of the Nigerian state, yet citizens continue to live under constant threat. He called for a deliberate national response that prioritizes accountability, transparency, and justice.
As he spoke, his tone carried both urgency and frustration. Although Nigeria has deployed multiple security operations nationwide, Sowore insisted that many of these efforts lack cohesion and often fail to address the underlying political and economic conditions enabling armed groups to thrive.—
Olawunmi, Ezebiro Add Security Perspectives
Retired Commodore Kunle Olawunmi brought decades of military intelligence expertise to the discussion. He warned that Nigeria cannot win the fight against mass killings without dismantling the networks—both domestic and international—fueling extremist groups. He added that corruption within the security sector undermines policing and military operations, making communities more vulnerable.
Security scholar Kuti Ezebiro, PhD, took a more data-driven approach. He explained that mass killings in Nigeria follow identifiable patterns linked to weak governance structures, porous borders, poor intelligence-sharing, and socioeconomic inequality. He urged the government to strengthen preventive frameworks instead of relying solely on reactive force.
Justice Fadipe guided the panel with questions about state responsibility, the rights of victims, and the role of institutions in enforcing security-related laws. His moderation helped connect the legal, civic, and security dimensions of the issue, making the conversation accessible to the packed hall of lawyers, activists, and students.
Sowore Calls for People-Centred Security Reforms
In his closing remarks, Sowore called for a “people-first security architecture” that places citizens at the heart of policing, intelligence gathering, early-warning systems, and conflict prevention. He also emphasized the need for community participation, insisting that security cannot be centralized when violence spreads fastest in remote and underserved areas.
He urged the NBA Ikeja Branch to continue to hold leaders accountable and to use legal tools to demand justice for victims of killings and violent attacks who often receive no closure.
The session ended with a strong consensus: Nigeria must move beyond rhetoric and embrace bold reforms if it hopes to guarantee the constitutional right to life.
Looking Ahead
The NBA Ikeja Human Rights Day event reinforced the importance of multi-stakeholder dialogue at a time when insecurity threatens national stability. By bringing voices like Sowore, Olawunmi, Ezebiro and Justice Fadipe to one platform, the Tiger Branch created space for critical reflection and fresh ideas.
As the country approaches another election cycle, the call to address mass killings in Nigeria is expected to shape public debates, legal advocacy, and civic action in the months ahead.
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