End insecurity in North-West within 30 days, youth forum tells FG

The North-West Youths Unity Forum (NYUF) has given the Federal Government a 30-day ultimatum to take decisive action to end the escalating insecurity across the North-West region, warning that it will mobilise all lawful means to hold relevant authorities accountable if the situation persists.

The forum made its position known in a communiqué by its chairman, Murtala Ishaqa Jangebe, and made available to journalists in Gusau.

Expressing concern over the worsening security challenges in the region, the forum lamented the continued loss of lives and property resulting from banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, rape and attacks on rural communities.

The communiqué noted that hundreds of communities in the North-West have been displaced by criminal activities, forcing residents to seek refuge in safer locations within and outside their states.

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It said that many highways linking states in the region have become unsafe for travellers, while several communities now live under constant fear of attacks.

The forum also called on the Federal Government to designate the Birom militia as a terrorist group, accusing the group of being involved in killings, destruction of property and the displacement of innocent citizens in parts of the country.

NYUF urged authorities to strengthen security operations and ensure the protection of lives and property across affected areas.

It stressed that restoring peace and security remained critical to economic and social development in the region.

As part of its recommendations, the forum called on governors of Jigawa, Sokoto, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara States to immediately recruit 2,000 forest guards each and provide them with adequate equipment and weapons to combat banditry and other criminal activities.

The group expressed confidence that with stronger collaboration among federal and state governments, security agencies and local communities, the region could overcome its security challenges and return to a path of peace and stability.