The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has raised concerns over attacks on truck drivers transporting goods between the North and the South-East, allegedly carried out by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The ACF described the attacks as a national security threat, warning that the situation could lead to widespread anarchy if left unchecked.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the forum condemned the “vicious and unprovoked” assaults, which have led to deaths, destruction of vehicles, and looting of goods.
The ACF accused security forces and the federal government of failing to address the issue.
“These brazen attacks are carried out by gunmen and gun-women who openly declare their allegiance to terror groups such as IPOB and the Eastern Security Network (ESN),” the statement read. “The violence is specifically targeting northerners and northern-owned properties.”
The forum expressed outrage over the violence, noting that some perpetrators have recorded and shared videos of their attacks on social media.
The National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) have staged protests in Jos, Plateau State, over the killings and destruction.
The unions revealed that over 50 truck drivers have been killed and about 100 trailers destroyed in the past eight years.
The ACF warned that transport unions may stop the movement of goods to and from the South-East if the attacks continue.
In its statement, the forum offered condolences to the victims’ families and urged security agencies to apprehend those responsible.
The ACF also called on the governments of Enugu and Imo states to compensate the families of those killed and address the damage caused.
Criticizing the lack of response from South-East leaders, the ACF called for public condemnation of the violence and efforts to restore peace.
The forum urged the government to consider declaring a state of emergency to address the crisis.
