As the killings in Nigeria’s North Central region, also known as the Middle Belt, continue unabated, concerned citizens are beginning to dig deep and expose the hidden agenda sustaining these genocidal acts.
By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
Joining the many voices condemning the ongoing transformation of this once agriculturally lush region into a slaughterhouse is the National Chairman of the Middle Belt Indigenous Christian Ministers’ Forum, Reverend John 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,” Rev. Nash stated that the killing of hundreds of innocent indigenes of Benue, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Kogi, Kaduna, Taraba, and other states has not only led to the destruction of properties worth billions of naira but also displaced thousands of people.
The statement, signed by Rev. John Nash, reads in part:
“The Middle Belt Indigenous Christian Ministers’ Forum is deeply saddened by the persistent, orchestrated acts of terrorism, banditry, killings, and alarming displacement of innocent citizens within the Middle Belt states of Nigeria. These acts are carried out by none other than suspected Fulani militants, who continue to undermine the patriotic efforts of security agents under the current leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a man believed to save and transform the country to greater heights.”
“The Forum is perplexed by the ongoing attacks and killings in Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Kogi, and others, which have resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives, destruction of property worth billions of naira, and displacement of thousands, leading to severe social dislocation. This is unacceptable and therefore condemnable.”
On the motives behind the continued killings, Rev. Nash said,
“We firmly believe that these coordinated attacks and genocidal missions by armed Fulani militants, alongside their hired bandits and terrorist elements, have the sole aim of territorial expansion, impoverishment, and a gross reduction of the voting capacity of the Middle Belt states ahead of the forthcoming 2027 general elections, which are likely not to favor them.”
“This is condemned in its entirety, as the Middle Belt states are increasingly aware that this mission is sponsored and masterminded from the shadows, using armed Fulani militants and bandits as foot soldiers, equipped with sophisticated arms and large quantities of ammunition to carry out this ignoble task assigned by their high-profile sponsors.”
“On these issues, the Forum loudly calls on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, be alive to its primary responsibility and decisively take the following actions:”
- Protect the lives and property of all citizens and law-abiding individuals regardless of their ethnic, religious, or cultural backgrounds.
- Investigate and prosecute those responsible for these atrocities, ensuring justice is served and perpetrators are held accountable; otherwise, the country risks being plunged into an abysmal state, which we have never prayed for.
- Scale up urgent humanitarian interventions including food relief, medical care, bedding, roofing materials, and trauma counseling programs to meet the immediate pressing needs of all victims of this terrorism declared by enemies of humanity within the region.
“We unequivocally appeal to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to do everything within your capacity to unravel the sponsors and foot soldiers of these dastardly acts so that no stone is left unturned in addressing the underlying security issues bedeviling our dear country, particularly the Middle Belt region.”
“The Forum stands in solidarity with the people of the Middle Belt states and all Nigerians affected by the open declaration of senseless killings and massacres of peace-loving citizens, who have perpetually been subjected to blatant satanism, which will continue to be resisted by all legally entitled means.”
As a possible last resort for the survival of the region should the killings continue and authorities fail to halt the trend, Rev. Nash advised that citizens must wake up and defend themselves within the framework of the law.
“In conclusion, we urge all Nigerians, especially those within our region, to wake up from their slumber and defend themselves constitutionally and in accordance with international instruments, ensuring synergy with security agencies within our environment.”
