The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed displeasure at the state of affairs in the North, noting that activities of insurgents, kidnappers and bandits had stunted the progress and development of the region.
This was contained in the communique issued by the forum at the end of its National Executive Council meeting (NEC) on Thursday in Kaduna.
The ACF National Publicity Secretary, Mr Emmanuel Yawe signed the communique issued at the end of the meeting.
The forum also decried the utterances of some actors and leaders who sought to inflame regional, ethnic and religious divisions in the country.
The ACF called on Nigerian leaders to exercise restraint in their utterances over the current security challenges.
It particularly frowned at the unfortunate killings of some northerners in the South East and called on security agencies to investigate the killings and fish out the culprits.
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“We also warn our youths who have suddenly started distributing messages on the social media calling on reprisal attacks on Ibos and their business interests in the north.
“We the Arewa Consultative Forum stand against all lawless acts of self help and call on all northern youths to stop such evil plans.”
Also, the forum said it would meet with the Federal and Kaduna State Governments on the plight of students of Federal College of Forestry Mechanization who have been in captivity since March 11.
It said that the meeting, coordinated by ACF National Chairman, Chief Audu Ogbe, was briefed by parents of the kidnapped students.
The forum regretted that the kidnapped students had remained in captivity and the Kaduna state government has not done much to get them released.
It therefore agreed to take up their plight with the state and federal government.
The Forum unveiled a new firm, ARECON Integrated Company, which would serve as its business arm.
“Already contacts have been made with the Minister of the FCT and some state governors of the North who have promised land to facilitate the takeoff of ARECON LTD,” it stated.