Southern region, FCT under threat with influxes of herders

From Jude Dangwam, Jos

The Conference of Autochthonous Ethnic Nationalities Community Development Associations (CONAECDA) has warned of a looming security threat following alleged influx of herders into the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the southern region of the country.

It claimed that insecurity is spreading to new parts of the country rapidly and called for urgent steps to protect natives rights, religious freedom and the credibility of the 2027 elections as the country prepares for its general elections next year.

CONECDA Secretary General, Suleman Sukukum, said at a press conference held at the Bishop’s Court in Jos, Plateau State, yesterday, said the attacks were now expanding into Niger, Kwara and Kogi States, while killings continue unabated in Benue, Plateau, Nassarawa, Taraba, Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, Kaduna and other states. “There is also a report of massive influx of herders into the Southern and inaccessible part of the FCT, this influx has serious security threat to the entire FCT. Nearly all Forest and grazing reserves in the country now host sleeper or active terrorists’ cells.”

Sukukum said the violence was being carried out by terrorists responsible for “genocide against Christians” as well as against Muslims in Gwoza, Zamfara and Kwara.

The group called on President Bola Tinubu to rehabilitate victims, reconstruct destroyed communities, return displaced persons and “acknowledge the existence of terrorist groups with objectives that include religious persecution and genocide.”

CONAECDA thanked the U.S. government for its support and urged the international community to hold the Nigerian government accountable for the security of its citizens. It also declared the last Thursday of every month as “Black Thursday” to highlight the value of life.

The association condemned the conversion of sacred hills and groves in the Middle Belt into grazing areas, describing it as “desecration of sacred and historic sites.”

It raised concern over the abduction and forced conversion of minors, citing over 2,000 underage Christian girls reportedly rescued after forceful conversion to Islam in Bauchi. While citing the case of Jinkai Simon and calling for the establishment of a “Religious Rights and Equities Commission” in the country.

“CONAECDA leaders are concerned with growing violation of religious freedom especially as it affects underaged Children. The forceful abduction, conversion and sometimes forced marriage of Minors in Nigeria is growing at an alarming rate. Today’s Challenge Magazine reported cases of over 2000 underaged Christian Girls who were forcefully converted to Islam, thankfully they were rescued.

“We have cases of minors who were taken away without the consent of their parents and guardians also exist. Worthy of mention is the case of Jinkai Simon who was abducted, converted to Islam and forced into Child marriage These abuses of Children’s Right should not be tolerated by anyone.

“We repeat our call for the establishment of a Religious Rights and Equities Commission with powers to enforce religious rights across the Federation. We also commend the effort of NAPTIP and states that have domesticated the Child rights act more however need to be done,” Sukukum stated

The group warned against what it described as the “growing antidemocratic conduct of several political parties and politicians” and appealed to politicians to “play by the rules.” It urged community leaders to participate in candidate selection, voter education, town hall meetings, and election monitoring.