The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has demanded full disclosure of records supporting the federal government’s claim that more than ₦600 billion has been distributed to over 10 million vulnerable Nigerians under the conditional cash transfer programme.
Key Highlights
- HURIWA demanded full disclosure of records for the federal government’s claim of over ₦600 billion cash transfers to more than 10 million Nigerians.
- The group rejected explanations that beneficiaries could not confirm payments due to lack of phones or social media access.
- HURIWA called for a comprehensive breakdown including beneficiaries per state, selection criteria, amounts, dates and payment channels.
- The organisation raised concerns over conflicting accounts of the cash-transfer programme across states.
- HURIWA also expressed alarm over recent killings, attacks and mass abductions in Plateau, Zamfara and Niger States.
- The group urged a shift to preventive security operations to protect vulnerable communities.
The rights group rejected an explanation attributed to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, that many of the alleged beneficiaries could not publicly confirm receiving the funds because they did not own mobile phones, watch television or use social media.
In a statement by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko on Sunday, HURIWA said the explanation doesn’t address what it described as the central question surrounding the reported expenditure.
According to the group, the issue is not whether beneficiaries have access to smartphones or social media, but whether there were verifiable records showing that the funds reached the stated beneficiaries.
HURIWA called on the federal government to publish a comprehensive breakdown of the programme, including the number of beneficiaries in each state and local government area, selection criteria, amounts paid, payment dates and channels used to transfer the money.
The organisation also expressed concern over what it described as conflicting accounts from different parts of the country regarding the cash-transfer programme.
HURIWA said that while officials in some states have confirmed beneficiaries of various cash-transfer initiatives, reports from other areas indicate that residents and some government officials could not identify beneficiaries or establish clear records of the reported payments.
The group argued that the discrepancies should be addressed through transparent documentation and independent verification.
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HURIWA also expressed concern over recent killings, attacks and mass abductions reported in Plateau, Zamfara and Niger States, saying the incidents underscored continuing security challenges facing communities across the country.
The organisation said it is disturbed by reports of civilians being killed in their communities despite repeated assurances from the government that measures were being taken to tackle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
HURIWA called for a shift from largely reactive security responses to preventive operations capable of identifying and disrupting threats before attacks occur.
Onwubiko specifically cited the reported killing of at least 54 residents of Zikke Village in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, as another indication of the vulnerability of rural communities.
The group urged the government and security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering, early-warning systems and preventive operations to protect vulnerable communities and reduce further loss of lives. For more human rights and security updates, follow us on X.
