From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
Residents of the Federal Capital Territory have urged the Armed Forces of Nigeria to sustain their ongoing kinetic operations against terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal groups who continue to reject peaceful surrender.
The appeal was made on Tuesday during a peaceful rally held in Gwagwalada, Lugbe and other parts of the FCT. The event was organised by the Ayudent Empowerment Initiative to raise awareness on communal peace and mobilise public support for security agencies tackling insecurity across the country.
Participants attributed recent security successes—including the rescue of 318 kidnap victims nationwide—to the intensified operations under the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede. They also praised the enhanced cooperation among the military services and other security agencies.
“Synergy among security agencies is crucial to defeating bandits and terrorists,” some residents said during the march, stressing the need for continuous collaboration between the government, security agencies and local communities.
Speaking to journalists in Gwagwalada, a resident, Mr. Anselm Gambo, commended troops for their sustained pressure on criminal elements.
“Looking at the successes recorded against kidnappers, terrorists and bandits across the nation, we must commend the Armed Forces under the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede,” he said. “We urge them to intensify operations against those who refuse to lay down their arms.”
Gambo noted that recent breakthroughs in states such as Sokoto, Kano, Kogi and across the South-East reflect the impact of coordinated operations.
“These achievements result from synergy between the different arms of the military. It is highly commendable, and we want them to sustain it,” he added.
In Lugbe, another participant—a taxi driver—praised the military’s strategies, saying criminal groups “are now facing consequences and have no place to hide.”
Team Lead of the Ayudent Empowerment Initiative, Mr. Victor Benson, lamented the negative economic impact of insecurity and urged citizens to fully support security agencies.
He noted that meaningful development will remain difficult as long as communities fail to collaborate with government forces.
Similar peace and development rallies were held simultaneously in Lagos, Kaduna, Keffi, Agbor, Nyanya, Zuba, Mararaba and other cities.