In a scathing press statement on Tuesday, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) strongly criticized the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, accusing his infamous administration of egregious human rights violations, corruption, and economic mismanagement.

HURIWA thus backed the current National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu who stated that the immediate past President bankrupt Nigeria just as the Rights group said the last president’s tolerance of terrorists and killings of civilians amounted to crimes against humanity that ought to be addressed and redressed by dragging Muhammadu Buhari to the international Criminal court in The Hague, Netherlands.

HURIWA pointed to admissions by prominent figures such as the first lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, and the National Security adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who acknowledged that President Bola Tinubu inherited a “destroyed economy.”

The group alleged that Buhari’s government allowed the amassing of weapons by Fulani militias in the North West, leading to the transformation of these groups into terrorist organizations that perpetrated violence against native Hausa farmers and indigenous Christians in Southern Kaduna and the North West. HURIWA blames the former president for instigating mass killings of Igno youths in the South East by both soldiers, police, DSS and members of a private army led by Asari Dokubo who recently confirmed that his private Army was engaged by Muhammadu Buhari in Imo State and some other parts of South East of Nigeria during his 8-years bloody administration from 2015-2023.

“In her remarks during an interdenominational church service marking Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Anniversary, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu emphasized that her husband, President Bola Tinubu, is not a magician but is committed to fixing the country. She stated that the Tinubu administration inherited challenges from past administrations and is focused on repairing the damage without placing blame.

“Also, in a recent speech at the Chief of Defence Intelligence Annual Conference 2023 in Abuja, Ribadu attributed the current financial crisis to the bankruptcy inherited by President Tinubu’s administration. While acknowledging budgetary constraints, Ribadu assured that the government is diligently working to ensure a robust defense management and security structure. He commended the armed forces for their commitment and positive changes under the current leadership”, HURIWA quoted.

HURIWA’s statement, signed by the National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Obwubiko, also highlighted the controversial involvement of Asari Dokubo, who admitted to working with his private army in Imo State during a period marked by violence attributed to “unknown gunmen.” HURIWA implicated Dokubo’s group in numerous killings, raising concerns about their role in the unrest.

“Former militant leader Asari Dokubo revealed that his ‘private army’ was contracted by the Nigerian government to maintain security on the Abuja-Kaduna road and in various parts of the country. Dokubo made this claim after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in June 2023, criticizing the performance of the military in addressing insecurity. He asserted that his men, stationed in different regions, played a crucial role in ensuring security, challenging the narrative that the military lacked sufficient armament.

HURIWA contended that instead of being hailed as a statesman, Buhari should be held accountable for what they describe as “crimes against humanity” committed from 2015 to 2023. Hence, the association calls for Buhari’s investigation, arrest, and trial by the International Criminal Court (ICC), drawing parallels with the conviction of Charles Taylor of Liberia.

The press release further asserted that Buhari’s administration is responsible for widespread corruption, mass civilian killings, and the economic deterioration of Nigeria. The group dismissed Buhari’s attempts to present himself as a statesman, insisting that his hands are “drenched in the blood” of victims in Benue, Southern Kaduna, and Imo State.

HURIWA concluded by emphasizing that Buhari should be recognized as a “war crime suspect” and not a statesman, urging authorities to take decisive action against him. The association called for justice for the over 300 youths killed in Imo State during Buhari’s tenure.