By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
As the killings in North Central region otherwise known as Middle belt of Nigeria continues unabated, the concerned citizens are begining to dig deep and bring out the hidden agenda that is sustaining the genocidal act.
Joining the multitude of voices who spoke against the continued turning of the once agricuturaly lush region into a slaughter lab, is the National Chairman, Middle Belt Indigenous Christian Ministers’Forum, Revered John Nash.
Nash in a signed statement titled, “Middle Belt Indigenous Christian Ministers’ Forum Decries The Acts Of Terrorism, Banditry and Genocide Within Middle Belt States of Nigeria”, submitted that the killing of hundreds of innocent indigenes of Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, Kogi, Kaduna, Taraba and others have not only led to the distruction of properties worth billions of naira but also displacement of thousands as well.
The statement as signed by Rev. John Nash read in part, ”
The Middle Belt indigenous Christian Ministers’ Forum is inexplicably saddened
by the persistent orchestrated acts of terrorism, banditry and killings as well as alarming displacement of innocent citizens within the Middle-Belt States of
Nigeria as carried out by non-other than suspected Fulani militants, who
continue to undermine the patriotic efforts of security agents under the current
leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a man believed to save and
transform the country into an amiable height.
“The Forum is perplexed by the ongoing attacks and killings in Benue, Plateau,
Nasarawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Kogi etc. which have resulted in the loss of
hundreds of lives, destruction of property worth Billions of Naira, displacement
of thousands of people left in consequential social dislocation, which is
unacceptable and therefore, condemnable”.
Giving his thoughts on why the continued killings, Rev John Nash said, “We are of a firm belief that these coordinated attacks and genocidal mission of
the armed Fulani alongside their hired bandits and terrorists’ elements are with
a sole aim of territorial expansionism intent, impoverishment and gross
reduction of the voting capacity of the Middle-Belt States against the
forthcoming 2027 general elections that is much likely not to be in their favor.
“This is equally condemned in its entirety as the Middle-Belt States are daily
aware of this mission being sponsored as mastermind from the underworld,
using the armed Fulani militants and bandits as their foot soldiers, equipped
with sophisticated arms and large quantum of ammunitions to prosecute the
ignoble task assigned by their high-profile sponsors.
“It is on the above issues that the Forum calls loudly on Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, be alive to its primary responsibility and decisively take
the following actions:
“Protect the lives and property of all citizens, and other law-abiding individuals
regardless of their ethnic, religious, or cultural backgrounds.
Investigate and prosecute those responsible for these atrocities, ensuring that justice is served and perpetrators are held accountable otherwise the country is likely to be plunged into abysmal state, which we have never prayed for.
“Scale-up urgent humanitarian intervention including food relief, Medicare,
bedding, roofing materials and trauma counseling programs so as to meet up the
immediate pressing needs of all the victims of this terrorism declared by enemies
of humanity within the region.
“We unequivocally appeal to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to do
everything within your capacity to unravel the sponsors and foot soldiers of these
dastardly acts so that no stone is left unturned in addressing the underlying
security issues bedeviling our dear country, particularly the Middle-Belt Region
“The Forum is registering its solidarity stance with the people of the Middle Belt
States and all Nigerians who are affected by the opened declaration of senseless
killings and massacres of the peace-loving people and Nigerians, who have
perpetually been subjected to brandished Satanism, which would continually to
be resisted by all means legally entitled”.
As a possible last resort towards the survival of the region should the killings continues and the authorities not halting the trend, Rev John Nash advised that they should all wake up and defend themselves within the framework of the law.
“In conclusion, we urge all Nigerians, especially those within our Region to wake up from sleep and defend themselves Constitutionally and also according to
international instruments, ensuring that there is a synergy with security
agencies within our ambient milieu”.
