Northern women advocate for peace as insecurity rises

Women from the 19 northern states of the country have again expressed their displeasure over the growing spate of killings, abductions and violence across the nation.

The women, under the auspices of Northern Women Peace Forum, led by their National Coordinator, Hajiya Binta Kuraye, who addressed journalists during the weekend in Abuja immediately after a mini rally, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to act.

National Secretary of NWPF, Hajiya Amina Goya, stressed the need for every Nigerian, particularly women, to join hands and put an end to various clashes leading to death of many Nigerians.

“As a nation we have lost lives in thousands over these violent conflicts, be it Boko Haram, farmer/ pastoralist clashes, the bandits situation, and other numerous conflicts across the nation.

“Children have been turned to orphans, women turned to widows, men turned to widowers. We have lost brothers and sisters, neighbours, friends, acquaintances. We have lost people we don’t know in person but we feel the pain of losing a countryman or woman. These people could be any of us. Anyone can be a victim,” Goya said.

The NWPF scribe added that these crises have continued to impoverish the land, noting that most economic activities have been disrupted or destroyed in many places, coupled with the global economic downturn.

She advised the president and northern leaders to devise new strategies of finding lasting solution to insecurity ravaging the north and other growing agitations in parts of the country, saying they won’t hesitate to get involved and ensure peace and normalcy returns to the country.