The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has given the Federal Government a seven-working-day ultimatum to arrest and prosecute terrorists whose identities and locations are allegedly already known to authorities.
The demand follows recent claims by Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, who said the Nigerian government knows every terrorist operating in the country by name and location.
In a statement released in Abuja, HURIWA warned that if the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu fails to act within the seven-day window, the group will escalate the matter internationally.
According to the organization, it plans to petition the United States Congress, the administration of Donald Trump, and the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate what it described as possible negligence or tolerance of terrorism by the Nigerian government.
HURIWA said Gumi’s remarks during a televised interview have raised serious national security concerns. The cleric reportedly stated that his visits to bandit camps were not secret, claiming he often went there with the knowledge and presence of security agencies, including the military and police.
“If the government truly knows these terrorists by name and location, Nigerians deserve to know why these criminals are still roaming freely; kidnapping schoolchildren, killing farmers, and attacking communities,” the group stated.
HURIWA also questioned why Sheikh Gumi himself has not been formally investigated, despite admitting to having contact with armed groups.
The organization warned that if no decisive action is taken within seven working days, it will begin international legal advocacy aimed at holding Nigeria’s leadership accountable.
According to HURIWA, the continued mass killings, kidnappings, and attacks on civilians could amount to crimes against humanity under international law if authorities knowingly fail to prevent them.
The group also cited provisions of Nigeria’s Terrorism (Prevention) Act, stressing that individuals who possess credible information about terrorist activities but fail to act or report it may face criminal liability.
HURIWA concluded by saying that Nigerians are living in fear daily and that the time for explanations is over.
“If the government knows these terrorists and where they are, the time to act is now,” the group said.
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