The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has issued a strong condemnation of the recent killings in Benue State's Yelewata community, urging the Federal Government to deploy all available security resources to end the violence.
In a statement released on Monday, ACF spokesman Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba expressed profound concern over the attack that claimed scores of lives in the Yelewata community. The northern leaders' group offered condolences to the affected families, the Benue State Government, and all Nigerians.
"ACF categorically and unequivocally condemns the senseless killings that continue to escalate for far too long," Muhammad-Baba stated. He noted that the situation "dishearteningly seems to defy solutions, including decisive action by the Federal Government-controlled security agencies."
Security Strategy Requires Urgent Review
The Forum highlighted the concerning timing of the attack, which occurred shortly after the Chief of Army Staff's relocation to the region. This development, according to the ACF, clearly demonstrates that the current security approach requires immediate reassessment.
"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 statement read.
The Forum emphasized that "proactive measures, including vigilance, improved intelligence gathering must be the crucial ingredients of new curtailment strategies against the recurring cycle of senseless violence."
Call for Community Reconciliation
ACF urged citizens in Benue and other violence-prone states to reject hate narratives, fear, and anger, replacing them with empathy, understanding, cooperation, and reconciliation. The group also called for immediate provision of adequate relief materials to Yelewata and other affected communities by both the Federal and Benue State Governments.
"Impunity must not be allowed to continue to hold sway," Muhammad-Baba insisted, adding that all those found culpable must be brought to justice.
The Forum encouraged community and religious leaders to utilize every opportunity to foster dialogue and understanding between communities, denounce violence and incitement, and promote values of shared humanity, tolerance, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
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