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From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The Professor Ango Abdullahi led Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has strongly condemned the quit notice slammed on Northerners residing in Avavo, Delta State over perennial clashes between cattle herders and the indigenous people of the area.
According to the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) report monitored on Wednesday by NEF, the eviction order failed to distinguish between northerners as a race and the criminal activities of a few individuals.
A statement by the Spokesperson of NEF, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman urged all northerners living outside the North to continue to exercise restraint and responsibility, adding that the North will not be silenced or intimidated; but will uphold its values and integrity even in the face of adversity.
NEF called for an immediate reversal of the eviction order against northerners in Avavo, just as the Forum also asked the federal government to take action to ensure adequate security and safety for the northern communities targeted by this order.
“Northern Elders Forum Condemns Unprovoked Eviction Order Against Northerners in Avavo, Delta State. The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has expressed its strong condemnation of the recent unprovoked eviction order issued to northerners residing in Avavo, Delta State, as reported by the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). This discriminatory action is deeply concerning and wholly unacceptable.
“According to the BBC report, the ejection order fails to distinguish between northerners as a race and the criminal activities of a few individuals. It disregards that most northerners are not Fulani, most Fulani are not cattle herders, and only some cattle herders in Nigeria are Fulani. Additionally, it unfairly generalizes that the crimes of some herdsmen extend to all cattle herders or northerners.
“Such sweeping accusations ignore the reality that the vast majority of northerners, including those living outside the North, are peaceful individuals with similar needs, anxieties, and hopes as other Nigerians.
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“The NEF is alarmed by the erosion of the consciousness that for decades, different tribes in Nigeria have co-existed peacefully in various parts of the country without facing discriminatory laws that intimidate, harass, and endanger them, their families, properties, or trades.
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“It is important to remind all Nigerians that the country’s laws mandate that every Nigerian can live and earn a legitimate livelihood in any part of Nigeria without facing discrimination or molestation. The NEF is saddened by the persistent unfair targeting and vilification of northerners in other regions of Nigeria.
“Despite the North’s renowned values of respect, integrity, and decency, its people repeatedly become scapegoats for the nation’s issues, with narratives often distorted to paint them in a negative light. In the face of these relentless provocations and unjust treatment of minorities in parts of the South, however, the North has remained composed, patient, and committed to national unity and integration.
“A point comes when enough is enough; the North cannot stand idly by as the dignity and integrity of its people are continually threatened. The Forum will therefore continue to advocate for the rights of northerners to be free from illegal harassment in their places of residence and work.
“Our commitment extends to their rights to worship, justice, and full protection as minorities in other Nigerian communities. Northerners living and conducting lawful businesses in Delta State deserve respect and dignity, not baseless accusations and unwarranted attacks.
“The NEF rejects any vilification based on ethnicity or religion and condemns those who perpetrate criminal acts, incite violence, and promote lawlessness. Targeting any ethnic or religious group is immoral, illegal, and violates our principles of decency. Such actions breach national and international laws, risking dire consequences, including genocide and ethnic cleansing.
“We urge all northerners living outside the North to continue to exercise restraint and responsibility while firmly avoiding any form of discrimination and injustice. The North will not be silenced or intimidated; we will uphold our values and integrity even in the face of adversity.
“We call for an immediate review and reversal of the eviction order against northerners in Avavo. We also demand an end to the unfair targeting and vilification of our people. It is time for all Nigerians to unite in peace and mutual respect, discarding divisions and discrimination based on ethnicity or religion.
“Meanwhile, we demand from the federal government action to ensure adequate security and safety for the northern communities targeted by this order. We urge all Nigerians to embrace peace, unity, and respect for one another.
“The Northern Elders Forum will continue to fight for justice and equality for all, ensuring that no group is subjected to unwarranted discrimination and abuse,” the statement said.
