Hundreds of residents, students, youth groups and civil society organisations in Borno State on Sunday staged a peaceful solidarity rally in Maiduguri, declaring support for security agencies in the fight against Boko Haram, ISWAP, banditry and kidnapping, while calling on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to rescue abducted victims and restore lasting peace across the North-East.

The rally, organised under the #UniteAgainstTerror campaign, took place at the Post Office Roundabout and attracted participants from the University of Maiduguri, Borno State University, Ramat Polytechnic, Mohammed Lawan College of Agriculture and other tertiary institutions, as well as community-based organisations and social clubs.

Carrying placards bearing inscriptions such as “United Against Terrorism,” “Support Our Troops,” “Enough is Enough,” “Peace is Our Right,” and “Nigeria Must Win,” the demonstrators urged Nigerians to unite against violent extremism and support ongoing counter-insurgency operations.

The protesters said the rally was organised to mobilise public support for security agencies, promote national unity and draw the government’s attention to the need for stronger measures to tackle insurgency, kidnapping and other security threats confronting the state.

Addressing journalists, one of the organisers said defeating terrorism required collective commitment from both government and citizens, stressing that criminal groups should not be encouraged through ransom payments.

“This is the time for Nigerians to unite against terrorism. We must speak with one voice and reject every form of support that strengthens these criminal groups. Paying ransom or yielding to the demands of terrorists only emboldens them and encourages further attacks. We should allow security agencies to carry out their responsibilities and make the necessary sacrifices for lasting peace,” he said.

A student leader, Suleiman Muhammad Sarki, said terrorism had inflicted enormous human and economic losses on the country, urging Nigerians to regard the fight against violent extremism as a shared responsibility.

“Terrorism has killed our people, destroyed our communities and stolen peace from our homes. This fight is not for government alone; it is the responsibility of every Nigerian.

“Parents should teach their children peace, communities should report suspicious activities, leaders should speak with one voice, the media should spread truth instead of fear, while the youth must choose unity over hatred. Nigeria is bigger than any terrorist, and together we shall overcome,” he said.

Speaking with journalists, Halima Idris said residents were eager to see Borno regain the peace it enjoyed before the insurgency.

“We want Borno to be restored to what it was before. No Boko Haram, no insecurity,” she said.

Another resident said the rally was also intended to remind the government of its constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property, noting that the emergence of kidnapping for ransom had heightened public concern.

“Borno has endured years of Boko Haram attacks, and now we are witnessing kidnappings for ransom alongside other security challenges. We are calling on the Federal Government and security agencies to rescue those still in captivity and restore peace across the state,” the resident said.

Participants also appealed for sustained investment in education, agriculture, youth empowerment, intelligence gathering and post-conflict reconstruction, saying military operations alone would not eliminate the root causes of violent extremism.

An agriculture student said restoring farming activities remained critical to rebuilding communities affected by insurgency.

“Food security and national security go together. When farmers return safely to their fields, communities recover faster and criminal groups lose influence,” the student said.

A law student maintained that national unity remained Nigeria’s strongest defence against terrorism.

“Terrorists want to divide Nigerians along ethnic and religious lines. We must deny them that victory by standing together as one nation,” the student said.

The participants also cautioned against the spread of misinformation capable of undermining security operations, urging citizens to rely on verified information and cooperate with security agencies through vigilance and timely intelligence sharing.

They further called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, community associations and the media to intensify campaigns promoting tolerance, peaceful coexistence and national unity, insisting that education, community engagement and youth development should complement ongoing military operations.

The rally ended with prayers for civilians and security personnel who lost their lives in the fight against terrorism and for the safe return of abducted pupils, students and other victims still in captivity. The participants reaffirmed their commitment to supporting lawful efforts aimed at defeating Boko Haram, ISWAP, banditry and other criminal groups threatening Nigeria’s peace and stability. (Sunday Tribune)