By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
A Group, Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Kaduna state, has alleged that reports reaching the executive has indicated that foreigners from northern neighboring countries had already arrived in Kaduna State ready to join the demonstration and make it violent.
The group however, kicked against the move, saying it will jeopardize the safety of the event and compromise the message of the demonstration, according to the communique of the forum’s second executive meeting made available to newsmen Wednesday in Kaduna.
According to them, “While the Kaduna State Chapter of the MBF acknowledges that peaceful demonstration is legitimate and necessary over the current hardships faced in the country and the need to draw government attention, the involvement of violent sponsored foreigners has raised genuine security concerns to the Chapter.
“Consequently, the forum advised all our youth from the Middle Belt resident in Kaduna State to refrain from participating in the protest not only over security and safety concerns, but not to be used to achieve the curious objectives of the sponsors. Our youths, known for their orderliness, civility, and discipline, must not be associated with inappropriate acts.
“The security situation has been reported to the national president of the MBF, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, who is currently gathering feedbacks from other states of the Middle Belt before issuing an official position on behalf of the entire Middle Belters.
Earlier, the communiqué signed Yusuf Solomon Danbaki,
Public Relations Officer (PRO), Kaduna State Chapter, MBF, stated that the meeting was chaired by Chairman of MBF, Kaduna State Chapter, Comrade Luka Binniyat, who relayed the congratulatory and goodwill messages of the President of the MBF, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, to the newly elected exco of the Kaduna State Chapter.
“The Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Kaduna Chapter held its 2nd executive meeting yesterday in Kaduna. The meeting was chaired by Comrade Luka Binniyat, Chairman of MBF, Kaduna State Chapter.
“Binniyat relayed the congratulatory and goodwill messages of the President of the MBF, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, to the newly elected exco of the Kaduna State Chapter.
“According to him, Dr. Pogu regards the Kaduna State chapter as very critical in the scheme of the MBF, bearing in mind its strategic location in Nigeria and its cosmopolitan nature that accommodates a huge array of Middle Belters.
“A key item on the agenda was the outreach to over 40 ethnic nationalities represented in various socio-cultural ethnic groups from the 14 Middle Belt States resident in Kaduna State and other 57 ethnic nationalities indigenous to Southern Kaduna, which make up the MBF, Kaduna State branch.
“The meeting, which was attended by 22 out of the 27 exco members, agreed that it was time members of the Middle Belt resident in Kaduna State unite as a common front in the interest of their wellbeing, the progress and development of Kaduna State, and Nigeria as a whole.
“With the permission of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the MBF, Barrister Catherine Doosuur Ishu from Benue State was nominated to serve as the Legal Adviser of the MBF, Kaduna State Chapter.
“There was also an initiative for an upcoming Middle Belt Cultural Festival for Middle Belters resident in Kaduna State, for which a committee was set up to kick-start the process.
“It is headed by the Organising Secretary of the Chapter, Hon. Ezekiel Babakarik. The aim is simply to celebrate the region’s rich cultural diversity, taking a break from lamenting the adversity that the Middle Belt has been plunged into for years now.
“During the meeting, concerns were raised about the planned peaceful protest scheduled for August 1st – 10th, 2024. Reports reaching the exco indicated that foreigners from northern neighboring countries had already arrived in Kaduna State ready to join the demonstration and make it violent.
“If so, that will jeopardize the safety of the event and compromise the message of the demonstration. While the Kaduna State Chapter of the MBF acknowledges that peaceful demonstration is legitimate and necessary over the current hardships faced in the country and the need to draw government attention, the involvement of violent sponsored foreigners has raised genuine security concerns to the Chapter.
