Protesters In Abuja Demand Urgent Action To Tackle Insecurity

The United Against Terror Movement (UATM) at the weekend staged its third peaceful solidarity march in Abuja this week, calling for national unity and stronger measures to combat terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and corruption across the country.

The protesters, who marched through parts of the Federal Capital Territory carrying banners and placards, urged political leaders, security agencies, civil society organisations and citizens to put aside partisan interests and work collectively to address Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.

Participants displayed messages calling for a united national front against terrorism and criminality, insisting that insecurity remains a major threat to the country’s stability, economic growth and development.

Speaking on behalf of the movement, UATM Co-Convener, Okai Austin, said the time had come for Nigerians to move beyond blame games and embrace collective responsibility in tackling insecurity.

According to him, terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and corruption have become significant national challenges requiring coordinated responses from all levels of government and society.

“Insecurity and corruption have become heavy national burdens that require action beyond political lines,” Austin said, stressing that national security should not be reduced to partisan debates.

He called for improved intelligence gathering, stronger inter-agency collaboration and increased support for security operations aimed at protecting lives and property.

The demonstrators also urged the Federal Government to treat the rising cases of kidnapping and terrorist attacks as a national emergency, warning that prolonged insecurity could undermine public confidence in institutions, weaken social cohesion and hamper economic progress.

They maintained that defeating terrorism would require sustained cooperation among government institutions, political actors, traditional rulers, religious leaders and citizens.

The rally is the latest in a series of advocacy campaigns by the movement, which has intensified public engagement efforts to draw attention to the country’s security crisis and mobilise support for lasting solutions.

The group reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful civic engagement and pledged to continue advocating policies that promote security, accountability, national unity and good governance.