Thank you for that question and for expressing your interest in bringing about solutions to Nigeria.
In terms of balancing security challenges in Nigeria and human rights, it's very sad to note that dealing with the security challenges that have been brought on Nigeria by extremist groups from sub-Saharan Africa and down into Nigeria has been almost non-existent, like giving up in a way. We believe that the entire north of Nigeria is kind of open for terrorist groups to operate in. They come into Nigeria and find their way all the way down to the middle belts, which are central Nigeria and the south of Nigeria.
The situation is very dire for the people. Every day, we hear of cases of kidnapping. These groups have now put themselves into little batches of kidnapping gangs. They stay in the forest, come onto the highway, stop vehicles, forcefully kidnap people, take them back into the forest and ask for ransom. This is now very common and open. It is dangerous. They are now free to travel the roads.
The last time I travelled to Nigeria, on every journey, even some journeys that are just one hour, I had to fly. It is unknown in Nigeria to rely on flying from one part of the country to another, but because of the security challenges, getting onto the highway to travel is like surrendering yourself to these terrorist groups to take you into the forest and ask for huge amounts of ransom money. That is the situation.
The government is aware of the presence of these groups in the forest. However, the focus is on brutalizing people who are living peacefully and leaving alone those who are the actual terrorist groups. That is why I gave the example of the chair of the Senate Committee on Army, who testified before his own committee that Boko Haram members, who were already pardoned and said to be reintegrated into society, slaughtered 75 old men, seniors who were taken from their homes and slaughtered.
That is the security situation that unfortunately has brought about #endSARS protests. The response of the government is to suppress it instead of calling for a dialogue to have a better understanding and provide an effective response to improve the security situation.