Young Nigerians on Tuesday staged a protest at the National Assembly in Abuja, calling for urgent action to tackle worsening insecurity across the country.
The march, which started from the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, was tagged “Nigerians Unite Against Terror”.
The convener, Isah Abubakar, said insecurity has become a nationwide problem affecting everyone.
“There are roads in Nigeria that, once it is 5 pm, you cannot pass through,” he said.
He added, “And those that are affected are not only members of the APC, ADC, PDP, NDC, and PRP, but they are also Nigerians.”
Abubakar also said, “The bandits are not selective. They don’t care about your religion, your tribe, your political party, or your tradition. It is something that affects us across religious and political lines.”
Calling for action, he said, “It is our responsibility as citizens to call the attention of those responsible for protecting lives and properties that enough is enough,” and added, “It is time to give us security; it is time to protect lives and properties; it is time to protect children; it is time to protect women from being raped.”
He also warned, “We can’t continue in a situation where our bush is being left for people who don’t know the value of life to take over it. Our demands are simple: end insecurity. It is time for proactiveness. It is time for sincerity of purpose by those who govern us.”
Another speaker, Austin Okhai, urged former security chiefs to step in.
“We call on former military leaders, former service chiefs, former directors of the DSS, former IGPs, and former NSCDC CGs to all collaborate in ensuring we have a country first,” he said.
He warned that insecurity is affecting politics and daily life, saying, “No political party can go on a rally when the people you mobilise cannot return to their homes.”
Okhai also claimed, “As I am talking to you now, the APC chairman in Kebbi is in the hands of bandits. The state is ruled by the APC. The bandits kidnap Muslims, Christians, and even traditional rulers. It is a crime that our former leaders are keeping quiet in the face of insecurity.”
He added, “The national assembly has the right to demand accountability; it is part of democracy. What we need now is the collaboration of all citizens,” and stressed, “If a soldier or a policeman comes to your house to apprehend a suspect and you hide the culprit, what magic will they perform?”
He further said, “The only power the bandits have over us is because they are armed with AK-47s. Even if we have state police and we do not arm them properly, it is still a waste of time” and referenced Kwara incidents involving forest guards.
Okhai concluded, “Our voices must be heard. We are here because insecurity persists. We urge Nigerians that if they see something, they say something and do something.”
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