Human rights advocate Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor has called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s national security framework, emphasizing that it must be restructured to uphold the safety and rights of all Nigerians. He believes that trust between the populace and security agencies has eroded, and that meaningful reforms are urgently required to rebuild this relationship.

In a recent press statement titled “Citizens’ Rights in Chains, National Security in Myth: Brutal Truths from NBA-AGC,” Ejiofor reflected on discussions from the Nigerian Bar Association’s Annual General Conference (NBA-AGC) held in Enugu. Specifically, he highlighted a panel session that took place on Tuesday, which focused on the intersection of citizens’ rights and national security challenges.

The session featured key stakeholders, including officials from the Nigerian military, police force, and Department of State Services (DSS), as well as prominent human rights lawyers such as Professor Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and Chief Femi Falana (SAN). According to Ejiofor, the panel underscored serious and persistent concerns about the state of detention facilities, lack of access to justice for detainees, and the general opacity of operations within security institutions.

Ejiofor stressed the importance of making detention procedures more transparent and ensuring that detainees are granted access to legal representation. He also called for both structural changes and ethical improvements in how law enforcement and security bodies operate, noting that these reforms are essential to restoring public faith in the system.

Praising the efforts of legal experts at the conference, Ejiofor emphasized that ongoing public engagement and legislative oversight remain vital in the struggle to safeguard human rights. He hinted at further analysis and commentary to be shared in future statements.