The Arewa Progressive Youth Forum (APYF) has voiced a critical perspective on the ongoing security challenges in northern Nigeria, emphasizing that military force alone is insufficient to resolve the region’s pervasive insecurity. The youth group highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach that addresses underlying social and economic grievances fueling violence.
In a statement signed by its President Mallam Yusuf Adamu and Secretary Kabir Umar Faskari, the APYF endorsed the stance of Senator Shehu Umar Buba, Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence. They praised Senator Buba for his “fearless leadership” and “unconventional courage” in advocating tactics beyond mere military action—advocacy that includes dialogue, economic empowerment, and community reconciliation as essential components for lasting peace.
According to the forum, peace will only be sustainable when issues like poverty, societal grievances, and deep-seated social divisions are effectively tackled. They cited Senator Buba’s success in conflict-prone communities where dialogue between farmers and herders helped reduce violent clashes, revived markets, and rebuilt neighborly trust.
The APYF acknowledged that Buba’s security strategy also involves empowering local communities. Surveillance networks established under his guidance now provide critical intelligence to security agencies, transforming civilians from victims into partners in maintaining peace.
Rejecting criticisms that label such approaches as weak, the youth forum stressed that Senator Buba’s method is strategic and pragmatic. Peace, they noted, “is not declared at the end of a gun barrel; it is built through trust, fairness, and shared prosperity.”
The group further dismissed politically motivated allegations against Senator Buba, emphasizing that engagement with conflict actors is a proven pathway to disarmament and reconciliation, pointing to examples like South Africa’s negotiations with the ANC and Nigeria’s Niger Delta amnesty program.
The Arewa Youths see Senator Buba’s approach as a refreshing and promising alternative to the conventional reliance on force, offering hope for a peaceful resolution to Nigeria’s multifaceted security challenges.
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