Arewa Progressive Youths Forum (APYF) has emphasised the critical need for addressing the security challenges in the North and the country as a whole, underscoring the importance of adequate attention to the welfare of troops.
In a press release signed by it president, Saidu Danladi, and secretary, Maryam Bugaje, the forum expressed gratitude for the chief of defence staff, Christopher Gwabin Musa, for supporting the federal government’s poverty alleviation programmes aimed at aiding families of wounded and fallen soldiers.
The group acknowledged the long-standing suffering caused by banditry and terrorism in the Northern region, which had disrupted normal life and led to the closure of businesses.
They highlighted the profound impact of these security issues on the people’s survival and emphasized that the news of support for troops was a significant morale booster.
“We northerners have really suffered from banditry and terrorism. For some years, life has not been normal in our region. Businesses have closed down, while our people continue to struggle to survive,” the group stated.
The forum also called upon the youth to abstain from negative activities that contribute to the challenges facing the region, emphasizing the importance of unity and collective efforts in overcoming these difficulties.
The group commended troops for operations against bandits and terrorists in the Northern region.
The minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, during a meeting with the CDS recently, disclosed that the federal government plans to expand the social register to accommodate military personnel that have either been wounded or affected by war, even soldiers that left their families behind.
The Arewa youths hailed the initiative, saying it would boost morale of troops engaged in operations across the country.
The group said it is an encouragement to troops that their welfare remains a thing of concern, hence they will continue to give their best for their fatherland.
