Nigeria, April 15 -- Human rights activist and founder of the Northern Star Youth group, Naja'atu Muhammad, has accused Nigerian politicians of using insecurity as a political weapon by working with bandits and turning them into political thugs.

Speaking in an interview on Channels Television's breakfast show, The Morning Brief, on Tuesday, Naja'atu blamed the rising violence in Plateau State and other parts of the country on deliberate neglect and manipulation by those in power.

"Our common enemy is the government that has failed to protect its citizens," she said. "The problem is not between the Fulani and the Berom people. They are both victims. No one chose where they were born, and the Nigerian Constitution gives everyone the right...