The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), North-West Zone, and Arewa Youths Movement, on Wednesday, besieged the main entrance of the National Assembly in Abuja, protesting the worsening insecurity in the country, particular in northern Nigeria.
The youth groups demanded the immediate resignation of the Minister of Defence, Muhammadu Badaru, saying security of the country has deteriorated under him.
They carried placards with various inscriptions: “Badaru please retire,” “We want improved security, if yes then Badaru must go,” “Sleeping Badaru, it’s time to wake up,” “Badaru F9 in Security,” “Security is at its worst under Badaru!”
Addressing journalists, secretary of Arewa Movement, Nasir Ishaku, who led the protesters, called on President Bola Tinubu to wake up Badaru from his slumber to face his national responsibility or honourably resign because security situation was deteriorating under his watch.
Ishaku also urged the National Assembly to look into the “lacklustre performance of the Minister and to do the needful for the benefit of the country.”
He said: “On behalf of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) North West Zone and the Arewa Youth Movement, we are here today to say that we are not crying wolf but stating a reality.
“For those who have an eye to see, let them see well, and those who have ears to hear, let them listen attentively. Nigeria is not well because Nigerians are being killed day by day.
“In view of the foregoing, the leadership of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, North West Zone and that of the Arewa Youth Movement after due consultations have observed with a total dismay the lackluster performance of Badaru in handling the Ministry of Defence, not only critical and also a strategic ministry in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“As a result of that, security situation in the country keeps deteriorating since his inception as Minister of Defence.
“These two organizations have a moral obligation to express our grievances because Nigeria is in shamble situation in terms of security of lives and property, most especially in the Northern Nigeria.”
Ishaku lamented that there was hardiy a week without terrorists attacking one community or the other while people have been killed and were still being killed in their homes, farms and even places of worship.
“Nigeria keeps losing members of the Armed Forces which include the Army, the Air Force, the Navy and members of the Nigeria Police Force. Our University students are still in captivity and no one knows their whereabout. These are the clear indications that the Minister is incompetent to handle that sensitive Ministry,” he added.
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