The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) in Kaduna State has raised concerns about reports indicating that foreigners from northern neighboring countries have arrived in Kaduna, potentially to join and escalate an upcoming demonstration.
In a communique released following the forum’s second executive meeting on Wednesday, the MBF condemned the involvement of these foreigners, warning that their participation could endanger the safety of the protest and undermine its purpose. The forum emphasized the importance of maintaining the peaceful nature of the demonstration, which aims to highlight the current hardships faced by Nigerians and draw government attention to these issues.
The MBF’s statement read: “While the Kaduna State Chapter of the MBF acknowledges that peaceful demonstration is legitimate and necessary over the current hardships faced in the country, the involvement of violent sponsored foreigners raises genuine security concerns.”
The forum advised youths from the Middle Belt residing in Kaduna to refrain from participating in the protest due to safety concerns and the risk of being manipulated by external sponsors. “Our youths, known for their orderliness, civility, and discipline, must not be associated with inappropriate acts,” the statement added.
The security situation has been reported to the national president of the MBF, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, who is gathering feedback from other Middle Belt states before issuing an official position on behalf of the entire forum.
The communique, signed by Yusuf Solomon Danbaki, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Kaduna State Chapter, noted that the meeting was chaired by Comrade Luka Binniyat, who conveyed congratulatory messages from Dr. Pogu to the newly elected executives of the Kaduna State Chapter.
A key item on the agenda was the outreach to over 40 ethnic nationalities represented in various socio-cultural groups from the 14 Middle Belt states residing in Kaduna and the 57 ethnic nationalities indigenous to Southern Kaduna. The meeting, attended by 22 of the 27 executive members, emphasized the need for unity among Middle Belters in Kaduna for their wellbeing and the progress of Kaduna State and Nigeria.
The meeting also saw the nomination of Barrister Catherine Doosuur Ishu from Benue State as the Legal Adviser of the MBF Kaduna State Chapter and the initiation of a Middle Belt Cultural Festival, led by Hon. Ezekiel Babakarik, to celebrate the region’s rich cultural diversity.
Concerns were particularly raised about the planned peaceful protest scheduled for August 1st – 10th, 2024, with the arrival of foreigners threatening to turn it violent. The MBF stressed the need for vigilance and caution to ensure the safety and integrity of the demonstration.