Youths and students in Borno State took to the streets of Maiduguri on Sunday, demanding that authorities do more to crush terrorism and tackle insecurity across the region. The demonstration, organised by youth and student groups under the banner UniteAgainstTerror, drew crowds to the Post Office area of the state capital.
Suleiman Muhammed, who leads the Youth and Students Forum in Borno State, praised the federal government and security agencies for securing the release of kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oyo State. He pushed authorities to accelerate rescue operations for victims still held captive in Borno.
Muhammed warned against paying ransoms to abductors, arguing that such payments would strengthen criminal networks and worsen Nigeria's security crisis. He urged the government to pair military action with youth employment schemes and other strategies that tackle the deeper causes of insecurity.
"We thank the government for what they have been doing, but we want them to do more to bring an end to insurgency," he said. "There is also a need to provide an enabling environment for youths to reduce crime in the country."
Protester Khadijat Abdullahi called on authorities to boost spending on security infrastructure, including equipping and improving the welfare of security personnel. She also highlighted the need to tackle joblessness and poverty among young people.
Demonstrators carried signs reading "Unity Our Weapon Against Terrorism," "Say No to Terrorism and Yes to Peace," and "A Secure Nigeria Starts With All of Us" as they marched. The placards underscored demands for unified action to end the violence threatening the state.
