Thousands of Borno Youths, Students Rally Against Boko Haram, ISWAP

Thousands of students and youth groups took to the streets of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Sunday in a show of solidarity with Nigeria's security agencies, calling for stronger public support in the fight against Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), banditry and other violent criminal groups.

The rally, held at the Post Office area in Maiduguri, attracted students from tertiary institutions across the state alongside youth organisations, who urged Nigerians to unite against terrorism and support ongoing military operations in the North-East.

The demonstration comes amid renewed attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP in parts of Borno State, where security forces have intensified counter-insurgency operations against the insurgent groups.

Leading the rally, former National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) official, Suleiman Muhammad, described national unity as one of the country's most effective weapons against violent extremism.

"Terrorists have killed our people, destroyed our communities and stolen our peace. This fight is not for the government alone; it is the responsibility of every Nigerian," he said.

Muhammad also urged Nigerians to reject the payment of ransom to kidnappers, bandits and terrorist groups, arguing that such payments strengthen criminal networks and finance future attacks.

"When we deny them financial support, we weaken their operations," he said.

He further appealed to parents, community leaders and traditional institutions to promote peace and encourage citizens to provide credible information to security agencies whenever suspicious activities are observed.

Other student groups, including representatives of Mohammed Lawan College of Agriculture, Maiduguri, called on the Federal Government to sustain investment in communities that have been liberated from insurgent control to support reconstruction, economic recovery and long-term stability.

Protesters carried placards bearing messages such as "United Against Terrorism," "Support Our Troops," "Enough is Enough," "Peace is Our Right," and "Nigeria Must Win."

The participants said defeating insurgency requires not only military operations but also sustained public cooperation, community resilience and national solidarity in confronting violent extremism.