Barely three days after bandits raided communities in Zamfara state, killing over 200 residents, a pro government group, Coalition of Northern Activists for Peace (CNAP), mobilised youths in protest to counter the narrative that North is insecured and “bleeding.”

‘North is bleeding’ is a social media campaign championed by citizens to draw the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari and the international community to the bloodbath and incessant killings perpetrated by bandits and Boko Haram terrorists in the North-West and North-East regions.

However, youths mobilised by CNAP, led by Zubairu Mukhtar, were seen on the streets of Kaduna on Monday, chanting “North is not bleeding,” while waving placards and banners with same inscription.

Some of the banners used for the rally were inscribed as follows: “North is not bleeding,” “We say no to bleeding,” “We shall work with President Muhammadu Buhari to defeat the enemies of Nigeria,” amongst others.

Convener of the rally, Mr Mukhtar, said it was being organised to appreciate Mr Buhari’s administration and the security agencies in the fight against insecurity, noting that “The North has over time been on the spotlight with issues of insecurity, specifically banditry, terrorism and cyber propaganda.”

Contrary to claims by the protesters, northern region has been the hotbed of killings and kidnappings as bandits and Boko Haram continue to terrorise the region.

In Kaduna, Kebbi, Niger, Zamfara, bandits have kidnapped citizens (schoolchildren) in their hundreds, forcing school closure at different times across the states.