Insecurity affecting North’s economic development, group laments

A Civil Society Organisation, Northern Youths Coalition, has lamented that the insecurity ravaging the part of the country was affecting the economic development of the region.

The coalition added that insecurity has taken the north several years backward.

In a statement by President Ishyaku Bello and Secretary, Gaius Gyang, they called on the people of the region to give the military the needed cooperation to tame insecurity in the North.

“Presently, it is a risk to make a meaningful economic investment in the Northern region. This insecurity has taken the North several years backward. We cannot continue like this.

“We appeal to our people in that region to cooperate with the Armed Forces of Nigeria to ensure life returns to normal and means of livelihood are restored.

“We also appeal to the insurgents to lay down arms or face the wrath of the law when apprehended by the military. The military has shown that unrepentant criminals will not have a breathing space,” they said.

They, however, congratulated the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, on the award of the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic.

According to them, the CDS has distinguished himself with his total commitment to the cause of a peaceful Nigeria.

(Punch)