Herdsmen killings aimed at crippling voting strength of Middle Belt ahead of 2027 polls – Rev Nash
By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
As the killings in the North Central region otherwise known as the Middle Belt of Nigeria continues, concerned citizens are beginning to dig deeper to unravel what they consider the hidden agenda that is sustaining what they describe as genocidal acts.
Joining the voices speaking against the continued turning of the once agriculturally lush region into “a slaughter slab,” is the National Chairman, Middle Belt Indigenous Christian Ministers’ Forum, Revered John Nash.
Nash, in a signed statement titled, “Middle Belt Indigenous Christian Ministers’ Forum Decries The Acts Of Terrorism, Banditry and Genocide Within Middle Belt States of Nigeria,” submitted that the killing of hundreds of innocent indigenes of Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, Kogi, Kaduna and Taraba States, as well as other forms of violence in the region have not only led to the destruction of properties worth billions of naira, but have also led to the displacement of thousands of people.
The statement stressed that the Forum is saddened by the “persistent, orchestrated acts of terrorism, banditry and killings as well as alarming displacement of innocent citizens within the Middle-Belt States of Nigeria,” insisting that the acts are being perpetrated by “non-other than suspected Fulani militants, who continue to undermine the patriotic efforts of security agents under the current leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
The Forum said further that the ongoing attacks and killings are unacceptable and condemnable.
On why the killings are continuing, Rev John Nash said, “We are of a firm belief that these coordinated attacks and genocidal missions of the armed Fulani alongside their hired bandits and terrorists elements are with the sole aim of territorial expansionism, impoverishment and gross reduction of the voting capacity of the Middle-Belt States against the background of the forthcoming 2027 general elections,” which he said is much likely not to be in their favor.
He said that they are aware that the armed Fulani militants and bandits are “equipped with sophisticated arms and large quantum of ammunitions to prosecute the ignoble task assigned by their high-profile sponsors,” and called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, wake up to its primary responsibility of protecting the lives and property of all citizens and law abiding residents, regardless of their ethnic, religious, or cultural backgrounds.
He also urged the government to investigate the killings thoroughly and prosecute those responsible for the atrocities, ensuring that justice is served and perpetrators are held accountable, warning that otherwise the country would be plunged into abysmal state, the like of which has not been witnessed before.
According to the Forum, government should also scale-up urgent humanitarian intervention including provision of food relief, Medicare, bedding, roofing materials and trauma counseling programs so as to meet up the immediate pressing needs of all the victims of the terrorism declared by enemies of humanity within the region.
They also implored President Tinubu to do everything within his capacity to unravel the sponsors and foot soldiers responsible for these dastardly acts so that no stone is left unturned in efforts to address the underlying security issues bedeviling the country, particularly the Middle-Belt Region.
The Forum registered its solidarity with the people of the Middle Belt States and all Nigerians who are affected by the attacks and killings, pointing out that if the killings continue and the authorities can not halt the trend, the people should wake up and defend themselves within the frawork of the
As a possible last resort towards the survival of the region should the killings continues and the authorities not halting the trend, Rev John Nash advised that they should all wake up and defend themselves within the framework of the law.
