Two separate reports by the Action Group on Free Civic Space (AGFCS) have revealed how the Nigerian government has overtime used the excuse of fighting terrorism to further encroach on civic space in the country.
AGFCS’ two latest reports titled: The Security Playbook of Digital Authoritarianism in Nigeria and, Harms from Abroad – The Impact of Global Security are the findings of a three-part study which examined how both military and non-military measures (mostly adopted from overseas) deployed to combat the security challenges in the country create opportunities for the use and abuse of counterterrorism and security laws to curtail civic freedoms.
The first report titled The Security Playbook of Digital Authoritarianism in Nigeria revealed how the finances earmarked and equipment purchased for the purpose of tackling the increasing security problems in the country are instead diverted to monitor the movement and activities of ordinary Nigerians.
The report explained that some of the ways the monitoring is carried out is through the interception of private communications, network shutdowns, obtaining of call records of individuals from network providers without a judicial warrant, blocking of internet and website access through several technical protocols.
Some of these may not be strange to many Nigerians, especially internet users who have experienced the blocking of website access this year.
In the report, an Israeli-owned company, Circles; a U.S.-based Access Data Group, China’s ZTE Corporation and others are identified as some of the major suppliers of the surveillance technologies that are used by the Nigerian government.
It further noted that the success recorded so far in the abuse and intrusion of the privacy of citizens were made possible through the cooperation of telecommunication companies (Telcos), internet service providers (ISPs), content moderation platforms, private companies, including foreign suppliers of surveillance technologies, and local as well as state regulatory agencies.
The second report which is titled Harms from Abroad – The Impact of Global Security Measures on the Civic Space in Nigeria shows how the so-called international standards which the Nigerian government majorly copies and implements as security measures negatively impacts civil societies and the fundamental freedom of its citizens.
Amongst others, the group highlighted the proscription of self-determination movements, criminalization of free expression and restrictions on open democracy as some of the most popular tactics used by the government under the guise of preserving national security.
While the report recognizes the responsibility of the government in preserving the national security of the country, it however calls for a concerted efforts by the government, international community, private sector, media as well as civil society to ensure their is a balance between competing legal interests such as national security, profit maximization and human rights.
The Action Group on Free Civic Space (AGFCS) is a coalition of civil society organizations including The Interactive Initiative For Social Impact (Dataphyte), The Initiative For Equal Rights (Tiers), Spaces For Change (S4C), Justice Rights Initiative (JRI), Vision Spring Initiatives (VSI), Centre For Citizens With Disabilities (CCD), World Impact Development Foundation (WIDEF), Rule Of Law And Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Building Blocks For Peace Foundation (BBforPEACE), SB Morgen Intelligence (SBM Intelligence), and Youths Right And Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC).