ABUJA – The Concerned Northern Forum (CNF) has strongly condemned the killing of 16 Northern hunters in Uromi, Edo State, warning that continued attacks could lead to reprisals across Northern states, including Abuja. The group has also advised Northerners living in the South to return home for their safety.
In a statement released on Wednesday, CNF Chairman Alhaji Ali Muhammad criticized the failure of security agencies to protect Northerners residing outside their home region. He warned that if the authorities do not take immediate action, tensions could escalate.
The forum expressed deep frustration over what it described as recurring attacks on Northerners and the destruction of their properties, estimating the financial losses to be in the billions of Naira. It urged the government to arrest and prosecute those responsible to prevent further unrest.
While acknowledging the visit of Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo to Kano following the incident, the CNF dismissed it as inadequate, insisting that only concrete actions and justice for the victims would resolve the crisis.
In its statement, the group declared:
**”Given the brutal killing of Northern hunters in Uromi, Edo State, we urge all Northerners to return home for their safety.
“It is unacceptable that while Northerners remain peaceful and law-abiding, they continue to be targeted, killed, and have their properties destroyed.
“This pattern of violence has been repeated across various regions. We cannot continue to stand by while our people are massacred without consequences.
“We demand an end to these attacks. No group holds a monopoly on violence. If the authorities remain passive, there will be repercussions across Northern states, including Abuja.
“While we acknowledge Governor Okpebholo’s visit, it does not go far enough. Justice must be served—those responsible must be arrested and prosecuted, and the victims’ families must receive adequate compensation.
“To prevent further bloodshed, the government must take decisive action. Northerners are being attacked, their properties destroyed, and their safety is no longer guaranteed outside the North.
“To safeguard our people, we call on all Northerners to return home and focus on building a stronger and m
ore secure region.”
