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Youths and students in Borno State on Sunday staged a peaceful protest, calling for an end to the insecurity that has ravaged the state for more than a decade.
The rally, organised under the banner #UniteAgainstTerror, drew participants from various student associations and youth organisations across the state. The demonstration took place at the Post Office area of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The leader of the Youth and Students Forum in Borno State, Suleiman Muhammed, praised the Nigerian Government for the successful rescue of the students abducted in Oriire, Oyo State, and urged authorities to intensify efforts to free victims still being held by insurgents in Borno.
He also warned against paying ransoms to terrorist groups, arguing that doing so would encourage further abductions and deepen the country’s security challenges.
“This campaign is a call on our people, especially youths and all Nigerians, to speak with one voice against terrorism.
“Looking at what happened in Oriire, Oyo State, the government deserves commendation for refusing to give in to the terrorists’ demands. Our security agencies also played their part by carrying out their responsibilities effectively.
“We believe the same commitment will be extended to Borno State. We are confident the government will address the security challenges in every part of the country without discrimination,” he told Punch.
Credit: Abntv
While acknowledging ongoing government efforts to tackle insecurity, Muhammed stressed that more comprehensive measures were needed to permanently end the insurgency. He called for greater investment in youth empowerment programmes and policies that would create economic opportunities for young people.
“We appreciate what the government has done so far, but we urge it to do more to bring this insurgency to an end.
“There is also an urgent need to create an enabling environment for young people so that crime can be reduced across the country,” he added.
Others also called for stronger political commitment to tackling insecurity through increased funding for security agencies and improved welfare for frontline personnel.
One of the demonstrators, Khadijat Abdullahi, said defeating terrorism would require both military action and efforts to address the socio-economic factors driving crime.
“For this fight to end, the government must invest more in the country’s security architecture by properly equipping our troops and improving their welfare.”Beyond that, the government must tackle the root causes of crime. Poverty is one of the major factors pushing people into criminal activities. Young people need jobs, opportunities and hope,” she said.
The youths and students carried placards with messages including, “Unity Our Weapon Against Terrorism,” “Say No to Collaborating with Terrorists,” “Say No to Terrorism and Yes to Peace,” “Terror Divides, Unity Prevails,” “Together We Stand Against Terrorism and Criminality,” “We Are Stronger Together,” and “A Secure Nigeria Starts With All of Us.”
