A member of the House of Representatives representing Kaduna North, Hon. Bello El-Rufai, has called on the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to sustain and intensify efforts against bandits who have severely disrupted farming activities across the country.
He stressed that eliminating these criminals is essential to restoring food security and curbing inflation.
El-Rufai made the call during the Youth Action Event, titled “Summit of the Future: Our Common Agenda,” organised by the Central Bank of Nigeria in Abuja.
The lawmaker, who is the son of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, highlighted the link between insecurity and the nation’s rising inflation rate, attributing the surge in food prices to the displacement of farmers by bandits.
“Increased food prices have contributed significantly to our high inflation rate,” he said. “Bandits have chased farmers off their farms, and as long as they cannot access their farms, food prices will remain high.”
El-Rufai then addressed the NSA representative present at the event, urging them to “continue to kill the bandits.”
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of the Economic Policy Division at the CBN, Mr. Mohammad Abdullahi, outlined the bank’s efforts in promoting youth empowerment and economic growth. He emphasised that the CBN remains committed to fostering youth entrepreneurship, innovation, and capacity building as key drivers of Nigeria’s economic transformation.
“We will leverage our economic policies to create opportunities for young Nigerians to thrive, particularly in emerging sectors like the green economy and digital transformation,” Abdullahi stated. “Our initiatives will enhance access to youth-friendly credit and empower them to contribute to building a sustainable future.”
He also underscored the need for strategic collaborations with civil society, international organisations, and the private sector to amplify youth-led solutions, create employment opportunities, and drive both national and global progress.
The event further served as a platform for the CBN’s youth delegation to engage Nigerian youths who participated in the 2024 United Nations General Assembly, providing insights on how they can contribute to national development through creativity and innovation.
