Decrying the hijack of peaceful protests by miscreants that has led to widespread violence, maiming, killings, and arson in Kaduna State, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) expressed its dismay over the unfortunate turn of events in a recent statement.
In the statement, the CNG, through its chapter coordinator Sa’adu Bako, conveyed sympathy to the affected families and urged the Kaduna state government to tackle the root causes of the protests, which include poverty, unemployment, and inequality.
Labeling the situation as a “ticking time bomb,” the group implored the government to promptly act to prevent further escalation.
The group stressed that the destruction of properties and harm to innocent citizens are not solutions to the nation’s problems while also drawing attention to the issue of out-of-school children in Kaduna, who are vulnerable to manipulation by politicians for violent purposes.
CNG called upon parents and communities to take charge of fostering a principled society by instilling high moral values in their children.
Advocating for a societal reorientation to encourage brotherhood, respect for authority, and adherence to the rule of law, the group urged the government to place a priority on substantial investment in education, especially in primary and secondary schools, and the establishment of skills acquisition centers to equip young individuals with practical problem-solving skills.
In their statement, CNG expressed sorrow over the hijacking of the peaceful protests that were meant for people to voice their concerns and emotions, in line with democratic practices, by what they referred to as “agents of darkness.”
They condemned the violent attacks on security agents and civilians during the protests, portraying the situation as a dire one demanding immediate attention.
The group called for collaboration between the federal government and citizens to address the underlying issues fueling the protests and to prevent further chaos and devastation.
Emphasizing that violence and destruction cannot substitute constructive dialogues, but only lead to wastage of resources on rebuilding, CNG reiterated the call for genuine investment in education and skills development to tackle societal challenges effectively.