The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has condemned the Uromi killings, warning against attempts to use the incident as a pretext to unleash violence against southerners residing in Northern Nigeria.
The Forum spoke in a statement released on Wednesday by its spokesman, Mr Luka Binniyat.
“The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) is aware of inflammatory threats and unguarded statements from certain disgruntled 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.
“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,” the statement said.
The MBF urged southerners in the North to be vigilant.
“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,” the statement added.
In the same vein, the Forum maintained that southerners are safe in the Middle Belt.
The statement also explained that 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 group expressed support for the ongoing investigation to identify those responsible for the Uromi killings and take them to justice.
However, the statement observed that the people of the Middle Belt have been killed on several occasions without any response from the government.
“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.”
