The Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) Raises Alarm Over Soaring Food Prices and Insecurity Across Nigeria
LAFIA/Nigeria: The Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) has voiced profound concerns over the alarming escalation of food prices and the growing insecurity plaguing the nation. Led by NYLF President Comrade Elliot Afiyo, the group issued a stark warning, declaring that Nigerians have reached a breaking point amidst the dire circumstances.
The group stated this at a press briefing held yesterday in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
Expressing their distress, the NYLF lamented the unsettling trend of security agencies releasing bandits apprehended by vigilante groups, further exacerbating the sense of vulnerability felt by citizens.
“Definitely we have been pushed to the wall but violent reactions can only worsen the situation,” remarked the NYLF, urging restraint among Northern youths while emphasizing the need for exhaustive negotiation and government action.
In a plea to alleviate the crisis, the NYLF called upon affluent Northerners to step forward and implement palliative measures within their communities to forestall adverse reactions.
Comrade Afiyo delivered a poignant address, highlighting the profound anguish and hardship experienced by Nigerians, particularly in the Northern region, due to pervasive security challenges and economic turmoil.
“It is an evident truth that since the inception of this democratic dispensation in 1999, Nigeria especially the Northern part has been engaged in one form of security challenge or the other,” stated Comrade Afiyo, underscoring the failure to effectively address the escalating threats posed by Boko Haram terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers.
Expressing profound disappointment in the government’s response, the NYLF decried the unchecked proliferation of criminal activities, with perpetrators brazenly asserting dominance over security affairs.
The group demanded decisive action from the Federal Government to confront criminal elements and their collaborators within security agencies, cautioning that further inaction could compel citizens to take matters into their own hands.
Additionally, the NYLF raised alarm over the crippling effects of inflation, citing skyrocketing food prices that have plunged many into deeper poverty. They condemned recent government decisions, including the covert hike in fuel prices and proposed subsidy removal on electricity, denouncing them as callous and insensitive.
In a bid to mitigate the hardships faced by Nigerians, the NYLF urged the government to reverse these decisions promptly, setting a three-day ultimatum for compliance.
Furthermore, echoing intelligence reports, the NYLF advised affluent Northerners to refrain from flaunting ostentatious vehicles and using sirens, warning of potential consequences if this counsel is disregarded.
As the nation grapples with mounting challenges, the NYLF’s impassioned plea underscores the urgent need for concerted action to address the multifaceted crises plaguing Nigeria.
