The National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) has urged security agencies to stop bullying innocent Nigerians, criticising the infringement on fundamental human rights and the undermining of Nigeria’s democratic values.
In a statement by NAS Cap’n, Dr Joseph Oteri, the association expressed concern that despite the current economic challenges and the escalating insecurity in the country, security agencies are compounding the situation by harassing innocent citizens.
Citing the recent arrest of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the terrorism charges against several anti-high cost of living protesters, the association lamented the alarming trend of security agencies using the pretext of combating terrorism to bully law-abiding citizens.
The statement read, “The National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) is deeply troubled by the economic challenges facing Nigerians and the rising insecurity gripping our nation.
“Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy, is grappling with issues such as high inflation, foreign exchange rate volatility, low productivity, weak governance, and inadequate infrastructure. These challenges not only threaten our growth prospects but also jeopardise stability.
“In addition to these pressing concerns, insecurity in Nigeria is escalating. A recent report by SBM Intelligence revealing 7,568 kidnappings in 1,130 incidents between July 2023 and June 2024 highlights the growing insecurity affecting our country.
“Amid these alarming circumstances, where Nigerians are
already suffering from economic hardships and living in fear due to rising insecurity, it is disheartening to witness security agencies bullying innocent citizens under the guise of counter-terrorism.”
The NAS Cap’n further stated that such heavy-handed tactics violate fundamental human rights and erode the trust between citizens and the security forces tasked with their protection.
He added, “The National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) unequivocally condemns these actions by security agencies that trample on basic human rights and undermine democratic principles.”
The association called for a thorough investigation into the persecution of innocent Nigerians, stressing that the country’s democracy is founded on fairness, justice, and equality before the law.
“It is incumbent upon all relevant authorities at federal, state, and local levels to ensure that those responsible for violating the rights of Nigerian citizens are held accountable within Nigerian laws and international human rights standards.
“We urge all stakeholders, including government bodies, civil society organisations, religious leaders, and the media, to collaborate in finding lasting solutions to improve the safety and well-being of our fellow citizens.
“We must unite to condemn the bullying of innocent Nigerians and give them a voice. They do not deserve the injustices inflicted upon them, especially in these times when many families are struggling with harsh economic realities and pervasive insecurity across the country. We must stand together to ensure such injustices are not tolerated in our society,” he concluded.

The Presidential Amnesty Programme Office, yesterday stated that no fewer than 60 students on its scholarship had made first class in different competitive disciplines between 2016 and 2023 at various partnering universities.
This was disclosed in a statement by the PAP Head of Education, Dr Charles Ariye.
Ariye said their disciplines include electrical/electronics engineering, computer science, civil engineering, accounting, law, petroleum engineering, physics, international relations, and biochemistry among others.
His adulation comes on the heels of a feat by another student on the scholarship scheme, Kemien Egbekun, who graduated with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.77 (first class) in Law at the Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Delta State.
Two other students sponsored by the PAP at the same school, Oladapo Damilola and Toikumo Prosper, also bagged a second-class upper-division grade in Law.
The trio participated in the university’s 6th convocation ceremony on September 6, 2024.
Ariye explained that though the scorecard for 2024 is being awaited from the various institutions, Egbekun and her colleagues have by their academic achievements added to the growing number of PAP scholarship beneficiaries who scored similar excellent grades in various courses of study at partnering institutions.
Meanwhile, the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, has expressed delight over the sterling academic performances of students sponsored by the Programme.
He spoke on the heels of the meritorious academic feats of the Arogbo-Ijaw-born Egbekun and others, according to a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Igoniko Oduma, on Wednesday.
Otuaro said his administration was encouraged by the quality of academic grades achieved by the PAP scholarship students, which had become a part of the success stories of the programme in the advancement of human capital development in the Niger Delta.
The PAP boss attributed the feats of the PAP scholarship graduates to the strong support they keep receiving from President Bola Tinubu.
He stressed that it conforms with his Renewed Hope Agenda of sustainable, peace, stability and development in the region.
He stated, “We are elated by the fantastic academic performances of the Presidential Amnesty Programme scholarship scheme students. Achieving such impressive grades as first-class and second-class upper division is no mean academic feat.
“These achievements reinforce the fact that the PAP is on the right track implementing its mandate. We are delighted and encouraged by this fact, and are taking appropriate steps to deepen efforts at achieving more in educational and vocational initiatives.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs Lydia Jafiya has urged military finance personnel to foster the culture of accountability in management of its finances to align with Federal Government’s financial reforms.
Jafiya made the call while delivering a lecture at the Nigerian Air Force Finance Seminar 2024, yesterday in Abuja.
She delivered a lecture titled, “Managing Financial Resources in the Face of Rising Contemporary Security Challenges: Federal Government’s Financial Reforms in Perspective”.
According to her, the financial management, procurement processes, and audit functions should also be aligned with the Federal Government’s financial reforms.
This, she said, would ensure that the military and security agencies have personnel tactically proficient and possessed an understanding of the various financial reforms in their day-to-day operations.
The permanent secretary also urged the military to place a greater emphasis on the outputs and outcomes that were expected to be delivered on the basis of the public funds they received.
She said that they must determine whether the requested resources were commensurate with the objectives to be achieved.
“The military should begin to undertake their activities, using the non- kinetic method which is less expensive and more friendly.
“The military, therefore, is a critical stakeholder in the Nigerian project, not just on the battlefield but in the broader context of national development and sustainability.
“Your commitment, discipline, and strategic thinking are essential as the nation strives to overcome its myriads of challenges to create prosperity for all,’’ she said.
Jafiya said the ongoing military operations against insecurity and terrorism across the country had continued to drain government resources, both human and financial.
She said that peace was desperately desired; adding that without peace, the nation might not have an economy that is thriving to meet the yearnings and aspirations of all Nigerians.
“In this respect, citizens’ security must be given its rightful place as it helps in minimising crime and creating the right environment for investments and growth.
“Peace-development nexus is a roadmap to progress, and it is required in defining our engagement from the military and fiscal policy perspectives, the connection between security and Public Financial Management is symbiotic.
“Without security, economic activities are stifled, revenue generation suffers, and the capacity of the nation and sub-nationals to finance its operations, including security, diminishes.
“Conversely, without sound Public Financial Management (PFM), the resources needed to address security challenges effectively cannot be mobilised.”
The permanent secretary said the President Bola Tinubu’s administration introduced financial reforms that are audacious in nature to promote accountability, transparency and fiscal discipline, thus ensuring effective delivery of goods and services to the citizenry.
She assured the NAF that the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda is willing, able, and ready to support it, and indeed other security service agencies in maintaining the nation’s sovereign integrity.