For the second time this week, activists marched through Abuja on Thursday, demanding that politicians stop blaming each other and start working together against the country's worsening insecurity.
The United Against Terror Movement led the peaceful solidarity march from Unity Fountain, drawing civil society groups, religious leaders, and ordinary citizens. They're tired of the blame games.
"Insecurity is everyone's responsibility," said Okai Austin, co-convener of the movement. "The government alone can't carry this burden. All Nigerians must unite and speak against terrorism and reject any attempt to normalize criminal activities."
Austin warned that when leaders keep trading accusations instead of cooperating, criminals take advantage. "When leaders continue to blame each other instead of working together, it creates room for criminals to expand. Nigeria must come first above every political interest," he said.
He pointed to the ongoing debate on state policing at the National Assembly as a positive step. "The debate on state policing currently ongoing in the National Assembly is a positive step. I'm sure the bill will be passed today. It must, however, be followed immediately with decisive and practical action across the country," he added.
Co-convener Igwe Udemata described a disturbing surge in mass kidnappings and attacks. "What we're seeing today is a disturbing wave of mass kidnappings and abductions nationwide. It clearly shows that perpetrators are sending a message that nothing serious will happen to them afterwards," he said.
Udemata urged the Federal Government, citizens, and political actors to treat insecurity as a shared national threat. "We're facing a very dangerous common enemy today across Nigeria. Security isn't about politics at all. We must all put aside sentiments and come together urgently as Nigerians to protect lives everywhere," he said.
He noted that insecurity is no longer limited to specific regions but has spread across the country.
Comrade Danesi Prince Momoh, convener of the Support for Democracy Accountability and Anti-Corruption Initiative, said the situation has reached a point where no one can afford to stand aside. "The level of terrorist activities in Nigeria has reached a point where no one can afford to stand aside. We must all come together and confront this challenge as one nation," he said.
Momoh warned that continued political divisions will only make things worse. "We're seeing insecurity spread across different parts of the country. If we continue to trade accusations instead of solutions, we'll all suffer the consequences," he said.
He called on political leaders to put national survival above partisan interests. "Blame games won't solve this problem. The only path is unity among all Nigerians, from national leaders down to ordinary citizens working together for peace, stability, and progress across the nation," he added.
The group held a similar demonstration on Tuesday to draw attention to the growing security challenges. Thursday's rally ended with renewed calls for unity, stronger security collaboration, and intensified efforts to end terrorism and corruption.
The march came amid rising anxiety over mass abductions and attacks that have left many Nigerians feeling unprotected. Activists say the government can't fix the problem alone — every citizen has a role to play.