Groups of youths across the northern part of the country have snubbed the Nigeria @63 Independence Day celebration day.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that Nigeria celebrated its 63rd independence on Sunday to commemorate independence from British rule on October 1, 1960.
While the celebration was going on simultaneously across the country, the angry youths took to the streets and social media to protest the rampant killings, abductions, and other forms of terrorism in the region.
They also lampooned the federal government for its failure to rescue the kidnapped students of Federal University Gusau, Zamfara, weeks after their abduction.
Our correspondents observed that while some of the youths wore customised shirts with #EndInsecurity in the North, others shared flyers with #bringback FUGUS girls, Northern lives matter, Arewa Bleeds, among others.
The youths also faulted the Independence Day broadcast by President Bola Tinubu.
The protest, which was was initiated by a Tiktok user Maina Usman, spread to other social media platforms.
Mr Maina said there is no justification for celebrating independence when the North is facing severe insecurity. “Government cannot allow bandits to abduct 40 schoolgirls and expect us to celebrate independence,” he said.
Joining the #bringbackfugusgirls campaign, Bashir Ahmad, a former social media aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, wrote, “bring back our sisters.”
Another X influencer with the handle @Waspapping also wondered why the media has been less critical of the “empty speeches” of Mr Tinubu compared to his immediate predecessor.
“President Muhammad Buhari was a failure in my book, but the way Nigerians and especially the Nigerian media used to criticise each speech of his and every decision he makes but are now keeping mute about PBAT empty speeches & inhumane decisions is nothing short of hypocrisy,” he said.
Another user with the handle @ArewaTwitter wrote “Tinubu said, “We are aware of your hardship” and he refused to do anything.
@arewacylce also said “Today is #NigeriaIndependenceDay, but real independence will start when #Arewa stops bleeding and Arewa becomes safe. On that day, every day will be an Independence day.”
@mni_jj said “Did SLS speak on Zamfara’s recent incident? Did the Arewa Northern Elders Forum publish any dissatisfaction? Did any media house pay attention to the issue?? I asked these questions because these are well-known people who speak for the common man in the past.”
A Facebook user, Anas Aliyu, whose birthday coincides with the Independence Day celebration, said he won’t be celebrating the birthday due to heightened insecurity in the northern region.
“Today is my birthday; I know it naturally coincides with the day Nigeria got her independence, which ought to have called for celebration. But this year, I chose to identify with my Northern people, who are terrified due to heightened insecurity challenges bedevilling us. I pray that God grant those in captivity quick freedom and the DEADS, eternal rest. #NorthIsBleeding#SecureNorth, Mr Aliyu wrote.
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