Uromi killings: Middle Belt Forum dissociates from any plan unleash violence on southerners
Joseph Irikefe
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has said that it is aware of inflammatory threats and unguarded statements from certain elements claiming to defend the interests of the Arewa North following the unacceptable extrajudicial killing of 16 citizens in Uromi, Edo State, last week.
These individuals, reportedly armed hunters, were traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano when they met their untimely death at the hands of mobs who accused them of being kidnappers.
The MBF in the statement said it 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.
It stated 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; saying the Middle Belt shall remain a haven for all law-abiding Nigerians, irrespective of their origin.
It further urged its 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,” it said.
“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 rights of every Nigerian to live, work, and pursue happiness without fear of persecution.”
The statement identifies the Middle Belt as comprising of 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 statement signed by the Spokesman of the Middle Belt Forum, Luka Binniyat said that while the group supports the ongoing investigation to identify those responsible for the Uromi killings and take them to justice, they cannot ignore the stark reality that Middle Belt communities have suffered relentless attacks from armed herdsmen, with no commensurate response from the government.
It disclosed that though there has been some form of improvement in security within most Middle Belt areas in recent times, “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,” the Forum said.