The Middle Belt Forum on Thursday condemned recurring killings in northern parts of the country.
Comrade Emma Zopmal, National Youth Leader of the forum, in a statement, called the situation “genocide”.
He lamented the inability of the Nigerian government to stop the attacks on innocent villagers and warned that war looms in Nigeria.
”The unabated killing of our people in their communities is a war declared on us and President Muhammadu Buhari is sleeping on duty. The Fulani terrorists will leave no part of the Middle Belt region untouched before they finally face the Southern part of the country with war,” he said.
”We call on Middle Belt people to rise up while being law abiding; to defend themselves with any means available when the situation arises. We do not have trust in Nigerian government to protect us anymore. The ugly tactics of Nigerian government in Numan, Plateau, Benue, Southern Kaduna of recent are proofs that our government is not doing its best to protect us.
”Nigerian government has launched special military operations and crack down on civilian people in different parts of this country but the Fulani terrorists are treated with kid gloves even when they fired at Nigerian Air force jet in Numan, Adamawa state. It’s evident that very soon they will defy authorities openly.
”It’s very unfortunate that our leaders who have served this country in the highest capacities have not said or done anything about these killings. The so-called Northern Elders Forum led by Paul Unongo, who defected from the Middle Belt, has become a toothless bulldog that cannot do anything about murders in his own state, Benue.
”General Yakubu Gowon, who recently opposed restructuring Nigeria, has never said or done anything against the killings of his fellow Middle Belters. Where are our retired officers who made names in defence of this country? Can’t you see war on us? We also call you the political leaders in/from the Middle Belt to speak up.
”It seems you have been blindfolded with party politics; you are allowing your people to be slaughtered everyday. It makes no sense to even serve in Buhari’s cabinet, the same government presides over the killing of your people. It makes no sense to be in opposition and do nothing over the killing of your people.
”We express our condolences to our people in Benue state over the recent genocide by Fulani terrorists that claimed more than 50 lives. We condemn it and call on our people to defend themselves. The take over plans by the Fulanis should not be allowed in any part of the Middle Belt. We extend our condolences to our people in Numan, Southern Kaduna and Plateau state similar genocide.
”We call on the friends of Middle Belt and the international community to call on Nigerian government to immediately stop the Fulani militia from killing our people. We do not wrong anybody but why the killings? If they are not called to order, definitely it will lead to lawlessness.
”It is our sincere hope that Nigerian government will take proactive measures now to put an end this dastardly acts. We do not want a situation where our military will be facing fighting internal problems every now and then because it will definitely polarise them. We also hope that they will play their professional roles independently to protect our people.”
Via Dailypost
