The Niger State chapter of Coalition of Northern Youths has staged a peaceful protest over incessant killing in Niger state and Northern Nigeria in general where they blamed governments of not doing enough to curb the current insecurity.
The sober protest led by Niger NLC Chairman, Comrade Yakubu Garba and Comrade Bello Ibrahim the Convener of Concern Nigerlites Forum yesterday took place from Central mosque to Emirs palace in Minna.
The group presented a letter of ‘Passionate Appeal for Quick Intervention’ to the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Faruk Bahago for onwards to Governor Abubakar Sani Bello and President Muhammadu Buhari about the affected community plight and some recommendations.
Comrade Ibrahim while reading the open letter revealed the palpable fears across the state following the incessant killings, kidnappings for ransom, raping and maiming of innocent and law-abiding citizens.
He added that the people have been rendered homeless, properties destroyed or stolen, millions paid as ransom, children orphaned and human dignity butchered.
“It is worrisome and regrettable that unarmed citizens have been recklessly neglected by the very government that swore to protect them under whatever circumstances, thereby compelling locals to resort to self – help which amounts to insensitivity and abdication of responsibility on the part of the Government”, he stated.
He added that “we presume that the government is not willing to tackle this headlong, as no group of criminals can be bigger and better equipped than the government forces”.
According to him, the incessant attacks which have affected about nine local governments in Niger state include; Shiroro, Munya, Rafi, Mariga, Paikoro, Lapai, Gurara and others, saying that their patience has been exhausted as communities and villages were wiped out before doing the needful.
He called for the establishment of a military base in the affected domain and Forest guards to check criminal hideouts, provision of logistics for current serving securities deployed there, adopt an all-inclusive approach in areas of intelligence, provision of adequate relief materials for displaced persons as well as restoration of sustainable security and peace in those communities.
Also, the NLC chairman, Comrade Yakubu Garba who urged protesters to be sober and peacefully conduct themselves as well to be law-abiding. He stated that the current governments have failed the citizens of this country advising them to retrace their steps by fulfilling their campaign mandates.
The Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Faruk Bahago appreciated the peaceful conduct of the youths saying that everybody is concerned about the situation while he called on them to give the government maximum support rather than resort to blame game.
He assured to extend the message to Governor Abubakar Sani Bello accordingly, advising them to be law-abiding citizens who will always respect the constituted authority.
The Royal father explained that the government and security agencies have been doing their best and needed to be encouraged to do more while he prayed that the situation of insecurity will end in Nigeria.
