Insecurity: Borno youths protest, demand stronger action against terrorism

Youths and students in Borno State on Sunday staged a protest in Maiduguri, calling for stronger action against terrorism and other forms of insecurity while urging Nigerians to unite in the fight against criminality.

The protest, tagged UniteAgainstTerror, was organised by youth and student groups and held at the Post Office area of the Borno State capital.

Speaking during the protest, the leader of the Youth and Students Forum in Borno State, Suleiman Muhammed, commended the Federal Government and security agencies for securing the release of abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State, urging authorities to intensify efforts to rescue victims still in captivity in Borno.

He also cautioned against paying ransom to kidnappers, saying such payments would embolden criminal groups and worsen the country’s security challenges.

Muhammed called on the government to complement security operations with youth empowerment and other measures aimed at addressing the root causes of insecurity.

“We thank the government for what they have been doing, but we want them to do more to bring an end to insurgency. 

There is also a need to provide an enabling environment for youths to reduce crime in the country,” he said.

Another protester, Khadijat Abdullahi, urged the government to invest more in the country’s security architecture by equipping security personnel, improving their welfare and addressing poverty and unemployment among young people.

The protesters displayed placards with inscriptions including “Unity Our Weapon Against Terrorism,” “Say No to Terrorism and Yes to Peace,” and “A Secure Nigeria Starts With All of Us,” as they called for collective action to end insecurity.