CSOs Hail DSS, Military’s Anti-Terror Efforts, Seek Stronger Public Support

Civil society organisations under the aegis of the United Against Terror Movement (UATM) have commended the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for what they described as renewed professionalism in the fight against terrorism, while urging them to sustain the momentum through transparency, accountability and strict adherence to the rule of law.

The group said the DSS had strengthened public confidence in democratic institutions by prioritising the arrest, prosecution and conviction of terrorism suspects through the judicial process instead of resorting to extrajudicial measures.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Saturday during a press conference themed “Nigerians Unite Under #UnitedAgainstTerror: A Call for Peace, Solidarity and Decisive Action,” the Convener of the movement, Mr. Okai Austin, said recent operational successes recorded by security agencies demonstrated a growing commitment to professionalism and respect for the rule of law.

Austin commended the DSS for embracing due process in its operations, noting that the agency’s approach had enhanced public trust in Nigeria’s security architecture.

He also praised the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilante groups for their sacrifices in tackling insecurity across the country, particularly applauding the military for successful rescue operations and improved collaboration with community-based security outfits.

According to him, the DSS has undergone significant institutional reforms, with greater emphasis now placed on arresting suspects, handing them over for prosecution and allowing competent courts to determine their guilt or innocence.

He cited the recent release and compensation of a farmer allegedly wrongfully arrested by the DSS in Kaduna State as evidence of the agency’s commitment to accountability and institutional reforms.

Austin urged the military and the police to adopt similar operational standards to strengthen inter-agency cooperation and reinforce public confidence in the country’s security institutions.

While acknowledging recent gains in the fight against terrorism, he warned that insecurity remained a major national challenge, calling on military commanders and political leaders to intensify intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks across the country.

He urged Nigerians to resist attempts by criminal groups to exploit ethnic and religious differences, stressing that an attack on any Nigerian should be regarded as an attack on the entire nation.

Austin also appealed to citizens at home and in the diaspora to support the #UnitedAgainstTerror campaign by providing credible intelligence to security agencies, saying effective collaboration between citizens and security agencies would deny terrorists the secrecy they rely on to plan and execute attacks.

Also speaking, a member of the movement, Mr. Okpanachi Jacob, cautioned against the indiscriminate dissemination of sensitive security information, warning that intelligence leaks could undermine ongoing security operations.

He advised Nigerians to channel security-related information directly to the appropriate authorities rather than publishing such details on social media and other public platforms.

Jacob further called on the federal government to strengthen oversight of funds allocated to states and local governments, arguing that prudent management of public resources would help tackle poverty, unemployment and other socio-economic conditions that fuel insecurity.

The UATM reiterated its call for stronger collaboration between citizens and security agencies, maintaining that a united national response remains critical to defeating terrorism and safeguarding the country’s peace and stability.