The Arewa Youth Movement, AYM, has lamented the escalating crisis of insecurity gripping the region and the nation at large.

At a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the AYM called on the Inspector General of Police, IGP, to take decisive action against those allegedly implicated in supporting criminal activities and inciting violence across communities in the North.

In recent years, northern Nigeria has faced a rising wave of banditry and kidnapping, with once-peaceful communities transformed into battlegrounds of fear and despair.

These heinous acts have led to the loss of countless lives, the destruction of property, and the displacement of families. The psychological trauma inflicted on the people is immeasurable, as the spectre of violence looms large over their daily existence.

The pervasive sense of insecurity has not only eroded social cohesion but also stifled economic activity, leaving many families struggling to survive. Kidnapping has become a lucrative enterprise for criminal groups, targeting individuals across different sectors for ransom.

This alarming trend has created a climate of fear, as families live under constant threat of abduction. The economic implications are dire: businesses falter, investments dry up, and community trust deteriorates.

In its briefing, read by its spokesman Comrade Yahaya Muhammed Garba, AYM commended the Federal Government’s efforts to combat insecurity but stressed that the actions of some individuals were undermining progress in the fight against crime and violence.

The group said that the alleged involvement of such individuals with criminal elements posed a grave threat to the safety and security of the nation.

They were reacting to recent revelations, including a video clip purportedly showing the transfer of cash and motorcycles from Senator Umar Buba’s residence to bandits in Zamfara.

They said this painted a troubling picture of political involvement in criminal activities, adding that their “close ties with known bandit leaders and their facilitation of their operations cannot be overlooked.”

According to the group, Senator Buba’s actions represented a gross abuse of power, as he appeared to be using his position to support criminal elements and undermine the rule of law. They warned that such behaviour must not go unchecked, as it sets a dangerous precedent that threatens the very foundation of democracy.

In light of these concerns, the AYM urged the Inspector General of Police to take immediate and decisive action against Senator Shehu Umar Buba. They demanded a thorough investigation into his activities and a commitment to prosecuting him to the fullest extent of the law.

The statement concluded that it was crucial to send the message that no one, regardless of position or influence, is above the law.