A coalition of over 20 civil society organisations in Nigeria has called on the 36 state governors to sign execution warrants for condemned kidnappers and other criminals. This appeal was made on October 2, 2026, by the National President of the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria, Isah Abubakar, during a press conference in Kaduna. The coalition argues that prolonged delays in enforcing capital sentences could undermine efforts to deter violent crime.
The call was made to commemorate Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary. Abubakar commended the recent death sentence handed to convicted kidnappers in Edo state and urged governors to demonstrate the political will to enforce judicial decisions. He stated that keeping condemned prisoners in custody indefinitely places an additional financial burden on taxpayers. The coalition believes that swift execution of capital sentences will serve as a deterrent to potential kidnappers and other violent criminals.
The coalition had initially planned to embark on a peaceful protest on October 1 but suspended it due to security concerns. According to Abubakar, security assessments raised concerns that political actors could hijack the demonstration and trigger violence. The decision to suspend the protest was made after consultations with relevant stakeholders and an assessment of Kaduna’s history of communal and political crises.
Abubakar emphasized that the suspension of the protest did not mean the coalition had abandoned its responsibility to hold government accountable. The coalition remains committed to engaging government on issues affecting citizens but prioritises the safety of participants and the wider public. The coalition’s primary goal is to ensure that the government is accountable and responsive to the needs of its citizens.
On the issue of insecurity, Abubakar acknowledged that kidnapping had not been completely eradicated but noted that security along the Abuja-Kaduna highway had improved compared with previous years. He attributed the improvement to the efforts of security agencies and urged them to sustain the fight against kidnapping and other forms of criminality. The coalition believes that continued collaboration between security agencies and the public is essential to addressing the security challenges facing the country.
Abubakar also appealed to citizens to provide credible intelligence to security agencies, stressing that community cooperation remained essential to protecting lives and property. He said effective information-sharing between communities and security agencies could help authorities prevent attacks and apprehend criminals. By working together, citizens and security agencies can build a safer and more secure environment for all Nigerians.
The coalition’s position was endorsed by several prominent youth leaders, including Hussaini Shuaibu, President of Arewa Youths Alliances for Progress and Development, and Kamilu Muhammed Tambuwal, Deputy President of Youth Movement for Peace. The organisations reiterated their commitment to advocating accountability and improved security while pursuing peaceful engagement with relevant authorities. They vowed to continue to engage with the government and other stakeholders to address the security challenges facing the country.
Key points
- Coalition of 20 civil society organisations urges governors to sign execution warrants for kidnappers
- Planned October 1 protest suspended due to security concerns
- Security along Abuja-Kaduna highway improves, but coalition calls for sustained efforts against kidnapping
