By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Middle Belt Forum (MBF) said it is aware of inflammatory threats and unguarded statements by certain disgruntled elements claiming to defend the interests of the Arewa North following what it described as the unacceptable extrajudicial killing of 16 citizens in Uromi, Edo State, last week.
A statement signed by the forum’s spokesman, Luka Binniyat, and issued to newsmen in Kaduna on Wednesday, April 2, which contained these, however, warned against any attempt to unleash violence on Southerners in the North.
Tracing the trajectory to the Uromi incident, MBF stated: “These individuals, reportedly armed hunters, were traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano when they met their untimely death in the hands of mobs who accused them of being kidnappers.”
The forum added: “While the MBF strongly condemns the unlawful killing of any Nigerian citizen, including the Uromi killings, we categorically reject any attempt to use this tragic incident as a pretext to unleash violence against Southerners residing in Northern Nigeria.
“We firmly state that the Middle Belt denounces such threats and will not be turned into a violent ground for cowardly attacks on innocent Southerners, regardless of their creed or faith.
“The Middle Belt shall remain a safe haven for all law-abiding Nigerians, irrespective of their origin.
“We urge our youths and community leaders to remain vigilant and ensure that no person or group instigates violence against Southerners over the Uromi incident.
“Any such individuals or groups should be disarmed and handed over to the appropriate authorities.
“We assure all Southerners living in the Middle Belt that they have nothing to fear about our people. Our region will continue to uphold peace, justice, and the right of every Nigerian to live, work, and pursue happiness without fear of persecution.”
Defining the geopolitical space that amounts to Middle Belt, the forum explained: “For the avoidance of doubt, the Middle Belt comprises Southern Kaduna, Southern Kebbi, Southern Bauchi, Adamawa, Gombe, and Taraba states, as well as the entire North Central geopolitical zone, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).”
The MBF stated further that “while we support the ongoing investigation to identify those responsible for the Uromi killings and take them to justice, we cannot ignore the stark reality that Middle Belt communities have suffered relentless attacks from armed herdsmen, with no commensurate response from the government.
“Although we acknowledge recent improvements in security within most Middle Belt areas, thousands of our people remain in captivity of bandits, and vast portions of our land are still controlled by violent outlaws—primarily Fulani militants.
“We hope that the swift response to the Uromi incident will set a precedent for a decisive crackdown on these criminals, the liberation of our abducted people, and the reclamation of occupied territories. Justice must be served across the board.”
