Nigerians in Ireland are to hold a peaceful protest in Dublin against the Nigerian government’s inaction on rising insecurity in the west African state.

The protest is planned for Wednesday 28 August by a new organisation, Rise Up Nigeria, a group of concerned Nigerian citizens living in Ireland which says its objective is to protect the country’s unity as well as fight social injustice. 

Demonstrators will meet in front of Leinster House on Kildare Street from where they will march peacefully to the Embassy of Nigeria on Leeson Street.

In a letter to the Nigerian Ambassador to Ireland, a copy of which has been seen by Metro Éireann, the organisers say they want to use the protest to “express our displeasure with the issues that are currently occurring in Nigeria, particularly the ongoing systematic genocide being perpetrated with impunity on the indigenous people of Southern Kaduna, Plateau and Benue states which according to Amnesty International … has resulted in loss of thousands of lives.

“We are also strongly condemning the current rage of kidnappings across the country which has resulted in the daily loss of lives and growing fear among local communities.”

Rise Up Nigeria strongly criticised the ongoing crises and social injustice in various parts of the country, as well as “the incessant killings of which some of our diaspora members and their families have been victims”.

The letter adds: “We are saying collectively that every Nigerian citizen has a fundamental right to live safely and travel without fear across the Nigerian states. 

“We also demand that the government of Nigeria carry out its constitutional responsibility of ensuring the safety and protection of every citizen, irrespective of their ethnicity, religion, and political leanings.”

The organisers also called on all Nigerians and their friends across the world to strongly and public ”condemn the carnage being perpetrated on its citizens”.

“We also call on Amnesty International and the United Nations Human Rights Council to address the ongoing infringement on the human rights of Nigerian citizens living in Nigeria. 

“We appeal to the International Court of Justice, Hague to look into the crimes against humanity that is ongoing in Nigeria.”

Rise Up Nigeria urged Nigerians and their allies in Ireland to come out and support the protest. 

They say they are gathering signatures for a petition “of Nigerians and friends of Nigeria” requesting the Nigerian authorities to immediately address the issues of insecurity at home.