Groups under the auspices of Conference of Autochthonous Ethnic Nationalities Communities Development Associations (CONAECDA) have promised to resist further attacks and killings in their region by suspected Fulani militias.

The groups, with about 400 indigenous groups spread across 15 northern states, said they would do all it takes to put an end to the wanton killings and all forms of criminalities in the North.

A statement from its Secretary General, Suleiman Sukukum, said that the north had suffered all forms of attacks, killings, maiming, kidnapping for ransom and all forms of criminality in the region.

According to him, the northern part of Nigeria had also suffered the worst forms of criminality in the hands of suspected Fulani militias including trade in human flesh and parts, human trafficking and sex slavery, banditry and cattle rustling with the government doing little or nothing to put an end to it.

He decried, “Millions are displaced with over 1.5 million in Benue State alone. Thousands of women are raped with over 700 women in Kebbi State alone; thousands of houses have been destroyed with over 2,500 homes in Irigwe land alone between 2nd and 12th of August.”

He lamented that girls are being trafficked because they are internally displaced, stressing that the ability to farm, attend school and carry out legitimate businesses is being denied by these terrorist activities.

The Secretary General observed that the experience in the region indicates a weakness in the level of engagement and sincerity of public officials in dealing with the issues, adding that the role of corruption and the failure of the security system to use information or Intel in responding on time and adequately to various early warning signals.

READ ALSO Coalition of Northern Groups ask for review of Kyari’s suspension, demand ongoing FBI investigation be transferred to Nigerian Intelligence Agency

He stressed that some public figures, while embarrassed by the security and humanitarian situation, prefer to white-wash or deny the extent and impact of the crisis rather than act decisively in addressing the relevant issues.

The statement stated that as stakeholders in the Nigerian society and leaders of the over 400 indigenous communities of Central and Northern Nigeria, they are key stakeholders in the Nigerian Project and must play their part in addressing these national issues.

It said the CONAECDA conference had decided to immediately commence a project to secure, reconstruct and protect such communities.

“We, therefore, use this occasion to notify all trespassers and occupiers of our communities that we are coming after them and shall recover through every legitimate means our communities and lands,” the statement explained.