The Market Traders Association of Nigeria (MATAN) has urged the Federal Government to compensate members that suffered various losses in recent attacks in some parts of the country.
The President of the association, Alhaji Jamilu Abbas, made this appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday.
NAN reports that many traders were affected in the skirmishes in some parts of the country and lost their properties and lives.
Abbas also urged the government to fish out the perpetrators of such mayhem and punish them in accordance with extant laws to serve as a deterrent.
He said it was necessary to ensure that all those that fuelled the crises were duly punished and dealt with accordingly, adding that the unity of this country should not be compromised.
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The president said leaders at all levels, either political or religious leaders as well as well as traditional leaders, must be in the forefront to promote peace and unity of the country.
“We don’t have another country other than Nigeria, our peaceful coexistence is not negotiable.
“Our diversity is our strength in this country, therefore our leaders must show example of that coexistence, peace and harmony for the progress of the nation,” he added.
Besides, Abbas advised the federal government to adopt proactive security measures to prevent further occurrence.