Youths, students rally against B’Haram, ISWAP in Borno

From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri

Thousands of students and youth organisations in Borno have called for national support for the Nigerian  military and other security agencies to combat terrorist attacks, banditry and other armed gangs across the country.

The students and youths made the call yesterday during a rally organised in Maiduguri to drum up national support for the security agencies in the country against protracted violence by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Leader of the protesting students and former official of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Suleiman Muhammad, urged Nigerians to embrace national unity as the country’s strongest weapon against violent extremism.

“Terrorists have killed our people, destroyed our communities and stolen our peace. This fight is not for the government alone; it is the responsibility of every Nigerian,” he declared.

He urged Nigerians to speak in unity against the payment of ransom to kidnappers, bandits and terrorist groups.

“When we deny them financial support, we weaken their operations,” he maintained.

He also urged parents to teach their children peace. He called on communities to report suspicious activities, urging leaders to speak with one voice.

Other student bodies, including Mohammed Lawan College of Agriculture, Maiduguri, also called for sustained government’s investment in communities liberated from insurgents.

The rally held at the Post Office area, the city centre, was attended by scores of students from tertiary institutions in Borno and many youths. Protesters held placards bearing various inscriptions such as “United Against Terrorism,” “Support Our Troops,” “Enough is Enough,” “Peace is Our Right,” and “Nigeria Must Win.”