By Sumaila Ogbaje
A peace advocacy organisation, Northern Youths Renaissance for Peace and Restoration, has called on Northern elders and political leaders to undertake urgent soul-searching to address the worsening insecurity ravaging the region.
The group made the call in a communiqué issued by its Secretary, Salisu Gambo, after their meeting on Wednesday in Abuja.
Gambo said the North was “bleeding and lagging behind” as banditry and insurgency continue to cripple socio-economic development.
He said that criminality had been allowed to fester for too long, adding that resources meant for growth were now being deployed to combat terrorism and banditry.
He said that no serious foreign investor would consider the region under the current security climate.
“Where is all the security funding going? Who in their right minds would want to invest in the North? The legacy being left behind is a battered region,” he stated.
The group passed a vote of confidence in the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, and the Armed Forces, commending troops for the sacrifices being made to restore peace.
They urged leaders at all levels to complement the efforts of security agencies to ensure that the sacrifices of the troops do not go in vain. (NAN)
