Northern youths distance self from planned nationwide protest

The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria has distanced itself from the planned nationwide protest tagged Take-It-Back, warning that such demonstrations could inflame tensions and destabilise the country.

President of the group, Isah Abubakar, in a statement issued on Sunday in Kaduna, said while the council acknowledges the frustrations of many young Nigerians, it believes that the current atmosphere calls for restraint, dialogue, and national unity, not street protests.

“We are deeply concerned about the rising tension across various regions and the increasingly fragile socio-political climate.

“As an organisation committed to youth empowerment, we understand the grievances driving these calls for protest.

“However, we urge calm and peaceful engagement over actions that may worsen the situation,” the statement read.

The group noted that previous mass demonstrations, including the EndSARS protest against police brutality, were later hijacked by hoodlums, leading to widespread violence, destruction of public infrastructure, and loss of lives.

“No one desires a repeat of such tragic events,” Abubakar warned.