Grieved by perennial attacks by suspected herdsmen which have resulted in deaths of thousands of people and wanton destruction of property in the region, ethnic nationalities of the Middle Belt have advocated a united action against further aggression by the intruders.
They also resolved to collectively resist further attacks on any of them, noting that an attack on one will be considered as an attack on all, henceforth.
The ethnic nationalities in a communiqué issued at the ends a one-day conference with theme; “Re-awakening,” in Abuja, resolved amongst other things that there is urgent need for united political force and quality leadership in the middle Belt.
According to the communiqué signed by President, Middle Belt Forum, Dr. Bitrus Porgu and National Secretary, Sen. Shem N. Zagbayi, respectively, said ethnic nationalities in the Middle Belt must not fall into the error of describing the ongoing genocide in the middle belt as farmers – herders clash.
“That at every opportunity tell the true story of the invasion of the middle belt and displace the wicked, evil and mischievous narrative currently in the public domain.
“All Governors and members of National Assembly from the Middle Belt should begin the agitation for the implementation of the Recommendations of the 2014 National Conference as a panacea for the survival of Nigeria, restructure and the remove the structural imbalances that occasion the terrible injustices of the peoples of the Middle Belt. The amendment to the constitution should work towards providing for special rights for minorities in our laws.
“Ethnic nationalities in the middle belt reject completely the plan to establish Cattle colonies either by its new name Ruga which the government has ‘suspended’ or by whatever new name the government may come up with.
“One of the principles of our revenue formula for which the North has been enjoying is land mass. The framers of the Constitution included land mass as one of the principles for revenue allocation because of its economic use, it should be put to that use now. Let the North give their land for cattle colonies or Ruga.
“There is urgent need for united political force and quality leadership in the middle belt. Actions must be united and from now henceforth, any and every attack will be collectively condemned and resisted as from now an attack on one will be considered an attack on all.
“Gender and youth participation must be encouraged at ball levels. The governments of the middle belt states should quickly come together and develop an education agenda for the youths particularly the girl child.
“In this regard, governments of middle belt governors must be united against corruption and free resources for the development of the people.
“Ethnic nationalities of the Middle Belt calls on the Government of Great Britain to take responsibility for the pains of the peoples of the Middle Belt. From now onwards the ethnic nationalities of the Middle Belt will now approach the United Nations to ventilate their grievances and seek for justice.
“Conference resolved to establish in all state capitals the Middle Belt Corporative Society to lift people out of poverty.”
