ACF condemns Kaduna, Borno attacks

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has said it was deeply pained by the recent unwarranted killings of innocent lives and destruction of property of some Fulani settlements in Kajuru local government areas of Kaduna state on the eve of the postponed elections by some armed bandits.

In a statement signed by ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, the forum condemns such spate of killings of innocent people by armed bandits and gunmen not only in Kaduna state but also in some other parts of the country, calling on the security agencies to always be proactive in their operations in order to avert such incidence.

“ACF equally condemns the Boko Haram suicide attack on some worshippers in a mosque at the outskirts of Maiduguri in Borno State, where innocent lives were killed, also on the eve of the postponed elections.

“These killings on the eve of elections by some armed bandits may be to scare the electorates and also derail our democratic process by the sect,” it stated.

The statement said that the heinous acts by the gunmen or bandits were callous and inhuman, considering the number of casualties.

“Killings of innocent people for whatever reasons cannot in any way address the perceived concerns or grievances of the perpetrators of these crimes,” it noted.

The statement added that ACF would not be tired of appealing to all aggrieved persons to always channel their grievances through due process of law rather than taking the law into their hands.

“This is because both the attacks and reprisals are often targeted at innocent people who know nothing about the feuds,” it added.

The forum urged the government to ensure that “perpetrators of these dastardly acts are brought to book to serve as deterrent to others.

“The issue of intelligence gathering and sharing should be a continuous and sustained effort by both the communities and the security agencies to ensure peaceful coexistence within the communities.

“This is because peaceful coexistence is sine qua non to meaningful socioeconomic development.

“ACF calls on Nigerians not to be deterred by such intimidation and coward acts of the perpetrators of these crimes.

“Nigerians should be resolute and united in the enthronement of a democratic system of government that will provide social justice, good governance and equal opportunity to all.

“ACF extends her condolences to the affected communities of Kajuru Local Government Area, the Government and good people of Kaduna State, the Government and good people of Borno State as well as the families of those affected by the unfortunate incidences and prayed for the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.”