By Odeh Oyi Akatu
ABUJA – The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has thrown its weight behind the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Muhammad Samaila Mera, over his recent call for communities to organise against terrorism and banditry, declaring that the time has come for a united security and political alliance between the Middle Belt and Hausa Land.
In a press statement signed by its National Spokesman, Luka Binniyat, on Wednesday, the MBF described the Emir’s intervention as a “wake-up call” for traditional rulers across the region to emulate his courage and patriotism.
The forum lamented that the Middle Belt remains the epicentre of Nigeria’s security crisis, bearing the heaviest human and economic losses from the activities of Boko Haram, ISWAP, bandits, and kidnappers. It listed Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, Niger, Kwara, Adamawa, Gombe, Kogi, Taraba, the FCT, Southern Kaduna, Southern Kebbi, Southern Bauchi, Southern Borno and Southern Yobe as areas ravaged by persistent violence.
“If a respected traditional ruler from the Hausa heartland can openly encourage lawful community vigilance and collective security, then communities across the Middle Belt, which have carried the heaviest burdens of terrorism and kidnapping, must also begin serious discussions on how to strengthen community safety and survival within the law,” the statement read.
The MBF noted with interest the growing number of indigenous Hausa voices calling for justice, self-determination, and greater political and economic participation. It declared that the over 200 ethnic nationalities of the Middle Belt stand in solidarity with all Hausa people who believe in a peaceful, secure, and democratic Nigeria.
“The time has come for greater cooperation between the peoples of Hausa land and the Middle Belt who undeniably form the majority population of Northern Nigeria,” the forum said, adding that both regions must resist being exploited by a “more organised minority.”
The group announced that following consultations with key stakeholders, it hopes to convene a Security and Political Summit before 2027 to forge an alliance on their shared socio-political future.
“We cannot afford to allow historical grievances, religious and ethnic divides to shackle us for the exploitation and domination of a more organised minority in both in the Middle Belt and Hausa Land,” the MBF added.
The forum urged traditional rulers across the Middle Belt, regardless of religion or ethnicity, to emulate the Emir of Argungu’s initiative, stressing that collective security and political partnership are essential to the survival of ordinary Nigerians in the region.
Middle-Belt Times 