A renowned socio-political organization from Northern Nigeria, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), strongly condemned all the attempts to tag the people from northern part of the country as Boko Haram members, sponsors. The ACF also emphasized on the danger of detaining people based just on their origin, faith or appearance.
The position of the group was declared by the National Publicity Secretary of the organization, Muhammad Ibrahim.
In his electronic message, forwarded to SaharaReporters, the ACF expressed deep concern over the arrest of about 486 people from the North in Abia state.
* "Boko Haram suspects" arrested in Abia State. Photo credit – TheCable
The ACF noted that these people have done nothing wrong, and they were just travelling in search for better life, hoping to earn money by legitimate means. However, the state government in cooperation with the Federal Government prevented them from achieving this goal.
The organization also lamented that the men have been allegedly subjected to ill treatment and hardship in the hands of security agencies. This turn of event, if confirmed, negates the spirit of one Nigeria and violates peoples’ freedom of movement and association, as grated by the Constitution of the country.
The statement further noticed that arresting people “simply on account of their faith, origin and appearance” is unacceptable, because such a move would make law-abiding and innocent citizens suffer in the hands of security agencies. This also turns people of one country into foreigners in their fatherland.
At the same time the ACF noted that it supports operations which are targeting Boko Haram insurgents and their evil activities.
The organization urged the State Government of Abia and other relevant authorities to exercise caution on the alleged arrest and interrogations of Jigawa indigenes.
“Nigerians deserves adequate protection of their lives and property wherever they are from their Governments. Therefore, Governments should ensure peaceful coexistence among Nigerians in any part of the country irrespective of their faith and origin,” the statement concluded.It would be recalled that 33 buses were stopped by military and security operatives in Abia State on June 15, 2014, Sunday. The DHQ insisted that the operation and the screening of about 486 passengers bear fruit, as a terror kingpin had already been detected among them.
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