The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has condemned the recent killings in Benue State, calling on the Federal Government to utilize all security apparatus to curb the violence.
The Northern leaders expressed great concern over the attack in Yelewata community, which led to the death of scores of persons.
The ACF spokesman, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, condoled the members of the Yelewata Community, the Government, and the people of Benue State, praying for the repose of the souls of the dead.
The Forum categorically and unequivocally condemned the senseless killings that continued to escalate for far too long, with the situation dishearteningly seeming to defy solutions.
According to Muhammad-Baba, “That the Yelewata tragedy would take place within days of the COAS’s relocation clearly illustrates that prevailing curtailment strategy must therefore be reviewed, to frontally confront the discomfiting regime of terrorism, insurgencies, banditry, communal conflicts, etc, however labelled.”
The ACF called for proactive measures, including vigilance and improved intelligence gathering, to be crucial ingredients of the new curtailment strategies against the recurring cycle of senseless violence.
The Forum urged citizens of Benue and other violence-prone states to reject hate narratives, fear, and anger, and instead promote empathy, understanding, cooperation, and reconciliation.
The Federal and Benue State Governments were called upon to provide adequate relief materials to the Yelewata and other affected communities.
The ACF emphasized that impunity must not be allowed to continue, and all those found culpable must be held to justice.
The Forum encouraged community and religious leaders to foster dialogue, denounce violence, and promote values of shared humanity, tolerance, forgiveness, and reconciliation.