UNIMAID Peace Centre Unveils Books on Security, Human Rights
By Lawan Bukar Maigana
The University of Maiduguri Centre for Peace, Diplomatic and Development Studies (CPDDS) on Monday unveiled two books, titled “Security and Human Rights Challenges in Nigeria” and Nigerian Media Narratives on Security and Human Rights in Parts of the North,” in Abuja.
The books focus on national security issues and were supported by MacArthur Foundation.
In a chat with PRNigeria, the Director of the Centre, Prof. Abubakar Mu’azu, said that the books cover the activities of Boko Haram terrorists in the Northeast, herder/farmer clashes, and ethno religious crisis in Plateau and Kaduna states.
“The centre secured a grant from the MacArthur Foundation in 2012 to research security challenges and human rights violations about the Boko Haram activities in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, as well as Jos and Kaduna states,” he said.
Mu’azu said that they were unable to implement the project in 2012 due to the intensity of attacks on police stations, markets, mosques, and churches.
“Hence, we appealed to the foundation to give us a no-cost extension. They were gracious enough to be granting that because they recognized that we have to survive to do the work and there was no need to put anybody in danger.
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“While waiting for the situation to improve, the security challenges in the Northern parts of the country escalated. Rural banditry emerged in Zamfara State due to limited security, particularly the police. Kidnapping surfaced. And we were worried that right to life was been challenged and we need to look at those issues.”
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He said that they conducted a series of policy dialogues with the police, civil defense, and vigilantes such as the Civilian Joint Task Force and civil society organizations including Nigerian Bar Association before the project started, to make sure that the rights of Nigerians are trampled upon while tackling the security challenges.
Also speaking, the Director of the MacArthur Foundation based in Abuja, Dr. Kole Shettima, described the books as “homily,” noting that they contain national security issues that affect the North.
Shettima said that there is no single solution to any of the ongoing security challenges in the North, adding that the books can contribute greatly to understanding the challenges that security operatives face and human rights abuses around tackling insecurity in the country.
“The different opinions gathered in the books can help in reducing national security issues without infringing upon the rights of civilians,” he added.
