By VERA ANYAGAFU &PRISCA SAM-DURU

Against the backdrop of the Boko Haram-sponsored insurgency ravaging the North Eastern part of Nigeria, the Dynamic Youth Organisation of Nigeria, DYON, plans to stage a peace summit to sensitise youths against being used by terrorists and to support the Jonathan administration’s quest to end the spate of insurgency in the country.

The group said it is worried by reports the notorious sect is massively recruiting desperate youths for its acts of terror, especially through suicide bombings. In a communiqué signed by its National President, Chief Elvis Obiekwe after an emergency National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting in Lagos, the organisation condemned the abduction of Chibok schoolgirls by Boko Haram. The group also joined other well-meaning Nigerians to call on the sect to release the girls.

DYON decried serial bombings in the North, especially the North East, noting that it would not fold its arms and watch the sect recruit unsuspecting youths to unleash mayhem on innocent Nigerians. Obiekwe described the Boko Haram as a group of uninformed individuals who had no value for human lives but derives joy in bloodletting.

He advised security agencies to fish out sponsors of terror in the country. According to him, terror thrives when there is sponsorship. The group advised President Jonathan to summon a meeting of ex- leaders which include former presidents and their vice, former heads of state and their deputies, former and present service chiefs and former security advisers to bring their experiences to bear so that together, we can conquer the monster called Boko Haram.

Obiekwu reiterated his conviction that collectively, the nation would overcome its security challenge, stressing that unless our leaders set aside their personal interests and put the interest of the nation first, the country may not combat terrorism. “Our leaders must be ready to set aside their individual interests and put that of the nation first; only then we can combat terrorism”.

The group urged Nigerians to be vigilant and report any strange object or suspicious movement of people or persons within their neigbourhood to the security agencies as security is everybody’s business now.

On its preparation towards achieving a successful summit, DYON promised to embark on awareness drive to sensitise, educate and enlighten youths on the danger of engaging in acts that are capable of destabilising the nation, hence information brings transformation.

The group called on Nigerians to set aside political sentiment and religious differences and align with the Federal Government to fight this common enemy, terrorism. It commended President Jonathan for engaging international collaboration towards combating Boko Haram.

Obiekwe also unfolded plans for the proposed peace summit which he said became necessary because terrorists and their sponsors find youths as willing tools to carry out their dastardly act due to mass unemployment.

“Terrorists find youths a willing tool to carry out their dastardly acts because majority of us are not gainfully employed,” Obiekwe noted. According to him, the peace rally will be staged in the six geo-political zones with the grand finale in Eagle Square, Abuja.

DYON resolved to partner other youth organisations and groups towards enlightening younger people on the need to embrace peace.