The All Progressives Congress (APC) Northwest Reclamation Front (ANRF) has raised concerns over persistent security and economic challenges in the region, urging immediate action from relevant authorities.

In a statement released on Sunday by the group’s coordinator, Malam Hisham Habib, the ANRF condemned the continued attacks by Lakurawa bandits in Kebbi State and other parts of the north west. It called on security agencies under the leadership of Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa, to intensify efforts in combating the menace.

The group also criticized the actions of hoarders and middlemen, which it claims are exacerbating the region’s economic woes.

“We want the intervention of the Federal Government and northern governors, especially from the geopolitical zone, to address the catastrophic activities of hoarders of essential commodities. Farmers and industries toil to produce, only for self-centered dealers to create artificial scarcity. This must be checked,” the statement read.

The ANRF emphasized that addressing these pressing issues was crucial to ensuring that the electorate benefits from the promises of a democratically elected government. It warned that the ruling APC’s future success hinges on its ability to restore public confidence through tangible solutions to the hardship faced by citizens.

While acknowledging the renewal of the Nigeria-China currency swap deal, the group expressed optimism about its potential to stabilize the naira and revitalize businesses in the northwest and across Nigeria. It urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to eliminate bottlenecks that have hindered the deal’s effectiveness in the past.

The statement concluded by expressing hope that the APC-led government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will achieve a stabilized exchange rate by 2025, curbing inflation and laying the groundwork for sustainable economic growth.

ANRF decries banditry, economic hardship, calls for urgent interventions in North West