By Monsurat Abisoye
Young Nigerians on Tuesday staged a protest at the National Assembly in Abuja, calling for urgent government action to address the worsening insecurity across the country.
The protest march, tagged “Nigerians Unite Against Terror,” commenced from the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and culminated at the National Assembly complex, where demonstrators urged authorities to take decisive steps to protect lives and property.
Speaking during the protest, the convener, Isah Abubakar, described insecurity as a nationwide challenge affecting all Nigerians, irrespective of their political affiliations, religion, or ethnicity.
“There are roads in Nigeria that, once it is 5 pm, you cannot pass through,” he said.
Abubakar stressed that the security crisis transcends political boundaries.
“And those that are affected are not only members of the APC, ADC, PDP, NDC, and PRP, but they are also Nigerians,” he added.
He further noted that criminal elements do not discriminate in choosing their victims.
“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,” he said.
Calling for immediate intervention, Abubakar said citizens had a responsibility to draw the attention of those charged with safeguarding lives and property.
“It is our responsibility as citizens to call the attention of those responsible for protecting lives and properties that enough is enough,” he stated.
“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 added.
Abubakar also warned against allowing criminal groups to continue occupying forests and rural communities unchecked.
“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,” he said.
Another speaker at the protest, Austin Okhai, called on former security chiefs and military leaders to contribute their expertise towards tackling the country’s security challenges.
“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.
Okhai warned that persistent insecurity was having a negative impact on both political activities and everyday life.
“No political party can go on a rally when the people you mobilise cannot return to their homes,” he stated.
He also alleged that the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi State had been abducted by bandits.
“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,” Okhai claimed.
Highlighting the role of democratic institutions in addressing the crisis, he said the National Assembly had a duty to demand accountability from relevant authorities.
“The National Assembly has the right to demand accountability; it is part of democracy. What we need now is the collaboration of all citizens,” he said.
He urged members of the public to cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that could aid the fight against crime.
“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 asked.
Okhai further argued that strengthening security structures without adequate equipment would yield little result.
“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,” he said, while referencing incidents involving forest guards in Kwara State.
He concluded by calling on Nigerians to remain vocal and proactive in confronting the country’s security challenges.
“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,” Okhai said.