• We say a complete NO to negotiations with terrorists – NMFAC
• Declare a state of emergency on insecurity, group

The Nigerian Movement for Actionable Change (NMFAC) on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, calling for urgent and decisive action to address the worsening insecurity across the country.

The group also demanded the immediate release of the remaining 253 pupils abducted from a Catholic school in Niger State.

Protesters marched with placards bearing inscriptions such as “Restore Security in the 36 States,” “Release the 253 Abducted Pupils,” “Stop Negotiations with Bandits,” “Declare State of Emergency on Insecurity,” and “Secure Our Borders Now.”

They urged the federal government to act swiftly to protect citizens and rescue all Nigerians still in captivity.

Addressing journalists during the protest, the Convener, Faisal Sanusi Ibrahim, said the demonstration was a constitutional exercise and a collective call for national safety.

Ibrahim lamented the deteriorating security situation, insisting that “no state is safe, no person is safe,” and stressing the need for unity in confronting the problem.

The group also called for better equipment and firepower for the armed forces, insisting that many soldiers are overwhelmed by the superior weapons used by criminal groups.

He said: “As we all know, protest is our fundamental human right, and we are here today to exercise it. We are all aware of the current state of insecurity across the country; no state is safe, no one is safe.

“And as a people, it is better that we come together to fight this collectively, rather than approach it from the angle of religion, tribe, or culture. We are Nigerians for actionable change.

“This movement is a coalition of different pressure groups brought together to speak out on the shortcomings and challenges we face as a nation. We have clear demands. One of them is the full restoration of security across all 36 states of the federation. That is number one.”

Ibrahim acknowledged the rescue of 24 schoolgirls by security agencies but noted that 253 others remain in the bush.

He added, “We commend the government for rescuing the 24 schoolgirls. But we must not forget that 253 others are still in the bush in Niger State. Ten people were kidnapped in Kwara yesterday, another ten in Kano yesterday. These attacks keep happening.

“They are sporadic and frightening. We cannot fold our arms and watch the government negotiate with terrorists, the same individuals who have driven us from our homes, made our lives unbearable, and turned our communities into battlegrounds. We say a complete NO to negotiations with terrorists.”

He also warned that framing insecurity along religious lines would worsen the crisis, especially amid global concerns over alleged persecution claims.

Ibrahim highlighted the daily struggles Nigerians face, from hunger and hardship to rising insecurity and economic pressures, and stressed that safety must now be the nation’s top priority.

Stating his demand, he said: “The government must declare a state of emergency on insecurity. It is very important. Travelling by road is no longer safe, not for me, not for you, not even for the security agencies.

“Flying is no longer a luxury; it has become a necessity. But how many Nigerians can afford to fly? Maybe a quarter of the population. The rest of us depend on the roads, which are dangerous.”