One of Nigeria’s socio-cultural groups, North Central Peoples’ Forum, NCPF, has condemned in very strong terms Monday’s attack on Agatu communities in Benue State, leaving no fewer than 27 people killed.
The attackers stormed villages in the area at about 5 pm.
Addressing reporters in Abuja on Tuesday, the group’s spokesman, Sule Dikeson, said as leaders of the region, they cannot continue to allow the mindless killings of the people without making moves to stop the henoius acts.
He said while the North Central remains committed to the unity of Nigeria; it will no longer fold its arm and allow criminal elements in form of bandits, or Insurgents to continue to destabilize the region.
Dikeson noted that today no where seems safe any longer in the six States of the North Central including the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.
Speaking, the Chairman Publicity Sub-Committee, Tunde Olusunle, called for effective collaboration with state actors to stem the tide of insecurity in the region.
As a practical step, the group said it has concluded plans to convene a “Security Summit it believed will not end up being another talk shop.
The NC Peoples’ Forum denounced the idea of secession, pointing out that as the centre of Nigeria, it will continue to be the peacebuilders and committed to the unity of the country.
The group, however, did not provide clear-cut support for the establishment of State Police as a possible solution to the level of insecurity in the country.
The group, however, canvassed strongly for the Presidency in 2023, a move that is bound to heighten the tension of power rotation and sharing in the country.
“But as far as the leadership of the North Central Peoples’ Forum is concerned, no other section of the country is more entitled to the Presidency than the region.”
It said the strategic position of the NC in the centre of Nigeria as well as its multi-ethnic and religious coloration without the dominance of any particular ethnic or religious group makes it the most neutral and viable option for the coveted position.