By Emmanuel Adebayo
In the wake of the brutal extrajudicial killing of 16 Nigerian citizens in Uromi, Edo State, the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly condemned the act while urging against retaliatory violence. The victims, reportedly armed hunters traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano, were accused of being kidnappers and subsequently lynched by a mob. Their deaths have sparked tensions across the country, with some groups in Northern Nigeria issuing inflammatory threats.
The MBF, in a statement released on April 2, 2025, expressed deep concern over the incident and the reactions that followed. The forum unequivocally rejected attempts to use the tragedy as a justification for violent reprisals against Southerners residing in Northern Nigeria.
“No Justification for Violence”
According to Luka Binniyat, the spokesman of the MBF, the Middle Belt region will not be drawn into hostilities arising from the Uromi killings. He emphasized that the area will continue to serve as a safe haven for all law-abiding Nigerians, regardless of their ethnic or religious backgrounds.
“We firmly state that the Middle Belt denounces such threats and will not be turned into a violent ground for cowardly attacks on innocent Southerners,” Binniyat said. “We urge our youths and community leaders to remain vigilant and ensure that no person or group instigates violence against Southerners over the Uromi incident. Any such individuals or groups should be disarmed and handed over to the appropriate authorities.”
Reassuring Southern Nigerians residing in Middle Belt states, the MBF pledged that there is no cause for alarm, as the region remains committed to peace and justice. The statement further clarified the composition of the Middle Belt, identifying it as encompassing Southern Kaduna, Southern Kebbi, Southern Bauchi, Adamawa, Gombe, and Taraba states, along with the entire North Central geopolitical zone, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
A Call for Broader Justice
While supporting the ongoing investigation to bring the perpetrators of the Uromi killings to justice, the MBF lamented the government’s inadequate response to the persistent attacks on Middle Belt communities by armed herdsmen. The forum highlighted the stark reality that many communities in the region have suffered from relentless violence, with thousands of people abducted and large tracts of land occupied by armed groups—primarily Fulani militants.
“Although we acknowledge recent improvements in security within most Middle Belt areas, thousands of our people remain in captivity of bandits, and vast portions of our land are still controlled by violent outlaws,” the statement read. “We hope that the swift response to the Uromi incident will set a precedent for a decisive crackdown on these criminals, the liberation of our abducted people, and the reclamation of occupied territories.”
Seeking Equitable Justice
The MBF emphasized that justice must not be selective. While condemning the Uromi killings, the forum stressed that similar urgency should be applied to securing Middle Belt communities from further bloodshed. The call for justice, the forum insists, must extend beyond singular incidents to a comprehensive approach that ensures the safety and security of all Nigerians, irrespective of their geographic location.
Addressing the Larger Security Crisis
The MBF reiterated that the challenges facing the Middle Belt are part of a broader national security crisis that requires urgent government intervention. The group urged authorities to address the root causes of violence, including weak law enforcement, economic disparities, and ethnic tensions.
As tensions rise following the Uromi killings, the MBF called for calm and responsible leadership at all levels. The organization encouraged inter-community dialogue and collaboration in fostering peace.
The statement concluded with a firm demand: “Justice must be served across the board.”
Middle-Belt Times 