The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed bitterness at the killing of 16 persons in Edo State who were traveling to Kano State on Thursday, last week.
ACF said it would study the incident further and come out with a more definite take on the matter very soon.
The National Publicity Secretary of ACF, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, in an interview with Daily Sun, said: “We’re horrified and shaken beyond words by the despicable, primitive and beastly act. Except that it happened, with the evidence in plain sight, it is inconceivable that such mindless violence could be perpetrated by humans with modicum of mental stability. We’re studying the incident further and we will come out with a more definite take on the matter.
“The tragic incident at Uromi, Edo State, cannot be isolated from the pattern of ethnic profiling vigilantes mete out to Northerners as they seek to eke out livelihoods in southern Nigeria.
“Only a few weeks ago, ACF drew attention to the phenomenon of attacks and fatal harassment of trailer drivers conveying goods to and through roads in other parts of Southern Nigeria.
“Still, ACF believes that Nigeria’s problems are not insurmountable. Much can be achieved through the entrenchment of the principles of good governance in public policy formulation and implementation such that justice, equity and hope will prevail.
“ACF, therefore, calls on the Muslim Ummah and indeed all citizens to continue in prayers for Nigeria and its leaders, as well as calls for prudence, restraint and patience as security agents fight to exterminate criminality in Nigeria”.
