By As Nigeria prepares to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the June 12, 1993 presidential election and 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has expressed concern that the country’s worsening security challenges could erode democratic gains and threaten the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, June 11, 2026, to mark Democracy Day, the organisation urged the Federal Government to treat insecurity as a major threat to democratic governance, warning that persistent violence, kidnappings, terrorism and banditry continue to affect citizens’ ability to participate fully in national life.
CAPPA’s Assistant Executive Director, Zikora Ibeh, said democracy cannot flourish in an environment where people live in fear.
“Democracy cannot thrive where people are afraid to travel on highways, send their children to school, cultivate their farms, operate businesses, or participate in elections,” Ibeh said.
The organisation highlighted the growing incidence of kidnapping-for-ransom across the country, describing the situation as a serious obstacle to national development. It noted that attacks on schools and educational institutions remain particularly troubling.
According to figures cited by CAPPA, at least 4,722 people were abducted in 997 kidnapping incidents between July 2024 and June 2025. During the same period, no fewer than 762 persons reportedly lost their lives in kidnapping-related cases, while ransom payments were estimated at N2.57 billion.
The group also raised concerns about the continued abduction of women, children and young girls, many of whom spend long periods in captivity under harsh conditions. It said videos circulating online, showing victims being assaulted, tortured and forced to plead for ransom payments, have exposed the severity of the country’s security crisis.
“No Nigerian should have to plead for their life before a camera while criminal groups operate with impunity. No parent should have to endure the agony of not knowing whether a kidnapped child will return home alive. These tragedies represent a profound failure of the state’s most fundamental responsibility, which is the protection of life and property,” Ibeh stated.
CAPPA called on security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of all abducted persons and ensure that perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted.
“All criminal elements must be made to understand that Nigeria and its people are out of bounds. No group should be allowed to terrorise communities and undermine national life without facing the full consequences of the law,” the organisation said.
The group further urged authorities to improve public communication on rescue efforts, arguing that limited official information has contributed to anxiety among families of victims and affected communities.
“While security operations often require discretion, the current shortage of official information is fuelling rumours, anxiety, and a growing sense of abandonment among affected families and communities. Nigerians deserve reassurance that every available resource is being deployed to bring their loved ones home safely,” the statement added.
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, CAPPA warned that insecurity could discourage voter participation, particularly in communities affected by violence and displacement.
“Citizens who fear violence are less likely to engage in civic activities or turn out to vote. Communities displaced by insecurity face additional barriers to electoral participation. A democracy cannot be considered fully representative when large numbers of citizens are effectively excluded by fear and insecurity,” the organisation said.
The group advocated greater investment in intelligence gathering, community policing, early warning systems, and stronger collaboration between security agencies and local communities. It also called for improved welfare for security personnel and more effective prosecution of criminal networks.
Beyond security measures, CAPPA urged governments at all levels to tackle underlying factors that contribute to violence, including poverty, unemployment, corruption, weak institutions, environmental degradation and social exclusion.
The organisation maintained that the ideals represented by June 12 cannot be separated from the safety and welfare of citizens.
“The significance of June 12 lies in its affirmation that sovereignty belongs to the people. That promise loses meaning when citizens cannot move freely, sleep peacefully, send their children to school, or participate in public life without fear” the organization noted.
