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MIDDLE BELT FORUM CONDEMNS UROMI KILLINGS, DENOUNCES THREATS AGAINST SOUTHERNERS

The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of 16 citizens in Uromi, Edo State, last week. In a statement, the forum described the killings as unacceptable and urged the authorities to investigate and bring those responsible to justice. The Spokesman, Middle Belt Forum, Luka Binniyat, said the forum rejects any attempt to use the Uromi killings as a pretext to unleash violence against Southerners residing in Northern Nigeria. “We firmly state that the Middle Belt denounces such threats and will not be turned into a violent ground for cowardly attacks on innocent Southerners, regardless of their creed or faith,” Binniyat said. Binniyat emphasized that the Middle Belt shall remain a safe haven for all law-abiding Nigerians, irrespective of their origin. He urged the youths and community leaders to remain vigilant and ensure that no person or group instigates violence against Southerners over the Uromi incident. The Middle Belt Forum also expressed concern over the relentless attacks on Middle Belt communities by armed herdsmen. Binniyat noted that despite recent improvements in security, thousands of people remain in captivity, and vast portions of land are still controlled by violent outlaws, primarily Fulani militants. Binniyat hoped that the swift response to the Uromi incident would set a precedent for a decisive crackdown on these criminals, the liberation of abducted people, and the reclamation of occupied territories. “Justice must be served across the board,” he said.