By Sumaila Ogbaje

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have called on the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to sustain ongoing kinetic operations against bandits, terrorists and kidnappers to keep the territory safe and secure.

The appeal came during Peace and Development rallies held on Tuesday in Gwagwalada and Lugbe areas of the territory by the Ayudante Empowerment Initiative (AEI), a peace advocacy group.

The rally was organised to enlighten citizens on the link between peace and socio-economic development while mobilising public support for military operations.

The Team Lead of AEI, Mr Victor Benson, lamented the negative effects of the security situation in the country and urged the people to support and cooperate with security agencies to restore peace.

Benson emphasised that socio-economic development will remain elusive as long as insecurity persists.

He said that insecurity had continued to hinder socio-economic development and urged residents to cooperate with security agencies.

According to him, the peace and development rallies are been held simultaneously in several cities, including Lagos, Kaduna, Keffi, Agbor, Nyanya, Zuba, and Mararaba.

The team lead credited the rescue of 318 kidnap victims and other recent operational gains to the improved synergy within the AFN under the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede.

A participant at Gwagwalada, Anselm Gambo, said the intensity of ongoing operations had curtailed criminal activities nationwide.

“We must commend the Armed Forces under Gen. Oluyede, for the intensity of operations against the enemies of the country and we urge them to intensify operations against those who refuse to lay down arms,” he said.

A taxi driver in Lugbe also commended the military, saying bandits and kidnappers were now “facing the consequences” of their crimes.