From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
The Middle Belt Indigenous Christian,MBCMF Ministers Forum has raised alarm over escalating insecurity and targeted attacks in some parts of the country.
The forum in a press statement signed by Rev. John Nash National Chairman Middle Belt Indigenous Christian Ministers Forum and made available to Peoples Daily on Friday, alleged that its members and communities across several states in the Middle Belt region.
In recent months, have witnessed mass killings resulting in large-scale burials across different states.
They claimed that several worshippers are being abducted during church services and taken to unknown destinations while others are brutally killed after being kidnapped.
The forum also fumed that several churches have being burned, vandalized, or completely destroyed even as entire communities are displaced and left traumatized, maintaining that what is particularly distressing is that in many cases, early warning reports were communicated to relevant security agencies before these attacks occurred.
“Sadly, prompt preventive action was often not taken. In most situations, security intervention comes only after lives have been lost and properties destroyed. While we acknowledge that on a few occasions security operatives have responded to rescue efforts, such responses remain inconsistent and inadequate.
“We state clearly and without ambiguity: the primary responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property. The continued failure to prevent repeated attacks despite advance intelligence raises serious concerns and deepens the fears of our people.
“Our silence over the years has been mistaken by some as weakness. Let it be clearly understood: our restraint has been borne out of faith, patience, and respect for lawful authority — not fear or cowardice. However, the ongoing loss of innocent lives and the destruction of places of worship can no longer be treated with indifference.
“We call on the Federal and State Governments to immediately strengthen security presence in vulnerable communities.
“Security agencies to act decisively on early warning intelligence and prevent attacks before they occur.
The international community and human rights organizations to pay urgent attention to the worsening humanitarian and religious freedom crisis in the Middle Belt.
“Independent investigations into the repeated security lapses surrounding these attacks.
The Middle Belt Indigenous Christian Ministers Forum remains committed to peace, justice, and lawful engagement. However, we cannot continue to watch our people slaughtered, abducted, and displaced without raising our collective voice.
“We urge the government to rise to its constitutional responsibilities and restore confidence among vulnerable citizens. The world must know that the suffering of our communities is real, persistent, and unacceptable”,the forum stated.
