The Northern Group for Peace and Development has called on Northerners to reject and expose individuals and groups involved in terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities, insisting that such elements must not be allowed to define the identity and image of the region.

The Group warned that the activities of terrorists, bandits and kidnappers were damaging the reputation of the North, threatening livelihoods, undermining economic activities and subjecting innocent residents to fear and hardship.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its National Coordinator, Gidado Muktar, the Group stressed that the North belongs to millions of peace-loving, hardworking and law-abiding citizens who must not allow a handful of criminal elements to destroy the region’s image and development prospects.

“The North belongs to millions of peace-loving, hardworking and law-abiding citizens. We cannot allow a handful of criminal elements to destroy our communities, undermine our economy and give our region a bad name. Northerners must reject, expose and refuse to protect those involved in these criminal activities,” Muktar said.

The Group called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, community associations, youth organisations and residents to support security agencies by providing credible and timely intelligence that could assist in identifying criminal elements, preventing attacks and dismantling criminal networks.

It also urged the Federal Government to strengthen the capacity of security agencies through adequate equipment, logistics, intelligence support and improved personnel welfare, while advocating stronger inter-agency collaboration and sustained operations against terrorist hideouts and kidnapping networks.

Muktar further stressed the need for perpetrators of insecurity and their collaborators to be identified, apprehended and prosecuted, insisting that communities must refuse to provide protection, information or logistical support to criminal groups.

Against this backdrop, the Group commended the Armed Forces of Nigeria, under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, for recent operational successes against terrorists and kidnappers in Borno, Kogi and Kebbi States, describing the achievements as evidence of the military’s determination to restore peace and security across the country.

It particularly applauded troops of Operation HADIN KAI for repelling an ISWAP attack on their positions in Kukawa, Borno State, on October 31, during which several terrorists, including high-profile members of the group’s Shura Council and commanders, were reportedly neutralised. The Group also commended troops for discovering and detonating an improvised explosive device along the Baga–Cross Road in Borno State and the arrest of seven suspected terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers in Damasak.

In Kogi State, the Group praised troops of the Nigerian Army’s 21 Battalion Quick Reaction Force for destroying a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in Edimogbo Forest, Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area, where 1,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, motorcycles and other items were reportedly recovered. It also acknowledged troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE and operatives of the Department of State Services for arresting a suspected kidnapper who allegedly demanded N200,000 from a female resident under the threat of abduction. In a separate intelligence-led operation, troops reportedly neutralised two suspected bandits during an ambush along the Adankolo–Apata Road.

Similarly, the Group applauded troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA for rescuing 11 kidnapped victims during separate operations in Ribah town and the Wasagu-Falfala general area of Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State. It described the operations as a demonstration of the importance of timely intelligence, rapid response and sustained military presence in vulnerable communities.

The Northern Group for Peace and Development reaffirmed its support for the Armed Forces and other security agencies, urging them to sustain the operational momentum and intensify efforts to dismantle criminal networks across the country. It maintained that restoring peace and security in the North required a collective commitment by government, security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders and citizens.

The Northern Group for Peace and Development has called on Northerners to reject and expose individuals and groups involved in terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities, insisting that such elements must not be allowed to define the identity and image of the region.

The Group warned that the activities of terrorists, bandits and kidnappers were damaging the reputation of the North, threatening livelihoods, undermining economic activities and subjecting innocent residents to fear and hardship.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its National Coordinator, Gidado Muktar, the Group stressed that the North belongs to millions of peace-loving, hardworking and law-abiding citizens who must not allow a handful of criminal elements to destroy the region’s image and development prospects.

“The North belongs to millions of peace-loving, hardworking and law-abiding citizens. We cannot allow a handful of criminal elements to destroy our communities, undermine our economy and give our region a bad name. Northerners must reject, expose and refuse to protect those involved in these criminal activities,” Muktar said.

The Group called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, community associations, youth organisations and residents to support security agencies by providing credible and timely intelligence that could assist in identifying criminal elements, preventing attacks and dismantling criminal networks.

It also urged the Federal Government to strengthen the capacity of security agencies through adequate equipment, logistics, intelligence support and improved personnel welfare, while advocating stronger inter-agency collaboration and sustained operations against terrorist hideouts and kidnapping networks.

Muktar further stressed the need for perpetrators of insecurity and their collaborators to be identified, apprehended and prosecuted, insisting that communities must refuse to provide protection, information or logistical support to criminal groups.

Against this backdrop, the Group commended the Armed Forces of Nigeria, under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, for recent operational successes against terrorists and kidnappers in Borno, Kogi and Kebbi States, describing the achievements as evidence of the military’s determination to restore peace and security across the country.

It particularly applauded troops of Operation HADIN KAI for repelling an ISWAP attack on their positions in Kukawa, Borno State, on October 31, during which several terrorists, including high-profile members of the group’s Shura Council and commanders, were reportedly neutralised. The Group also commended troops for discovering and detonating an improvised explosive device along the Baga–Cross Road in Borno State and the arrest of seven suspected terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers in Damasak.

In Kogi State, the Group praised troops of the Nigerian Army’s 21 Battalion Quick Reaction Force for destroying a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in Edimogbo Forest, Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area, where 1,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, motorcycles and other items were reportedly recovered. It also acknowledged troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE and operatives of the Department of State Services for arresting a suspected kidnapper who allegedly demanded N200,000 from a female resident under the threat of abduction. In a separate intelligence-led operation, troops reportedly neutralised two suspected bandits during an ambush along the Adankolo–Apata Road.

Similarly, the Group applauded troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA for rescuing 11 kidnapped victims during separate operations in Ribah town and the Wasagu-Falfala general area of Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State. It described the operations as a demonstration of the importance of timely intelligence, rapid response and sustained military presence in vulnerable communities.

The Northern Group for Peace and Development reaffirmed its support for the Armed Forces and other security agencies, urging them to sustain the operational momentum and intensify efforts to dismantle criminal networks across the country. It maintained that restoring peace and security in the North required a collective commitment by government, security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders and citizens.

By Chuks Onyema in Abuja