Hundreds of young Nigerians on Tuesday marched to the National Assembly in Abuja to demand stronger action against the worsening security situation across the country.
The protesters, who began their rally from the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, gathered under the banner of “Nigerians Unite Against Terror”, calling on authorities to take urgent steps to protect lives and property.
Addressing the crowd, the convener of the protest, Isah Abubakar, said insecurity had gone beyond politics and had become a national crisis affecting every citizen regardless of religion, tribe or political affiliation.
According to him, “There are roads in Nigeria that, once it is 5 pm, you cannot pass through.”
He added that the security challenge does not discriminate against anyone, saying, “And those that are affected are not only members of the APC, ADC, PDP, NDC, and PRP, but they are also Nigerians.”
Abubakar stressed that criminal groups have continued to attack communities without regard for people’s backgrounds.
“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.
The protesters urged the government and security agencies to become more proactive in tackling the menace. They insisted that citizens have a responsibility to demand accountability from those entrusted with the protection of the country.
“It is our responsibility as citizens to call the attention of those responsible for protecting lives and properties that enough is enough,” Abubakar said.
He further declared, “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.”
The convener also warned against allowing criminal groups to continue taking control of forests and ungoverned spaces across the country.
“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 added.
Another speaker at the protest, Austin Okhai, called on former security chiefs and military leaders to put national interest above every other consideration and work together in finding solutions to the country’s security challenges.
According to him, “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.”
Okhai argued that insecurity has continued to affect political activities and everyday life across many parts of the country.
“No political party can go on a rally when the people you mobilise cannot return to their homes,” he said.
He also alleged that kidnapping and banditry have spread across communities without discrimination.
“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 claimed.
The activist maintained that the National Assembly has a constitutional role to demand accountability from government institutions.
“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 also appealed to Nigerians to support security agencies by providing useful information.
“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.
Speaking further, Okhai insisted that security reforms must be backed with adequate resources.
“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 making reference to recent incidents involving forest guards in Kwara State.
The protest ended with a call for greater unity among Nigerians in the fight against insecurity.
“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 concluded.
