The ACF urged authorities to take immediate and decisive action to prevent further bloodshed, warning that the killings and destruction of property could lead to nationwide unrest if left unchecked.

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed concerns over continued attacks on truck drivers transporting goods from the North to the South-East, allegedly carried out by criminal elements. 

In a strongly statement released on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the ACF condemned what it described as "vicious and unprovoked attacks" against northern drivers, warning that such incidents could escalate into a broader security crisis.

According to the statement, heavy-duty trucks traveling to and through the South-East have been targeted, with drivers being killed, vehicles set ablaze, and goods looted. 

The forum accused security agencies and the federal government of failing to curb the violence, which it said threatens national unity.

"The attacks are being brazenly carried out by the euphemistic gunmen/gun-women who openly claim membership of terror groups such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN), with the attacks directed only on northerners and northern-owned property," the statement read.

The ACF urged authorities to take immediate and decisive action to prevent further bloodshed, warning that the killings and destruction of property could lead to nationwide unrest if left unchecked.

They explained that the terror merchants have continued to double down on the savage attacks and even posting video clips of the results of their gruesome actions, with gleeful taunts, on social media. 

"Often, the savagery extends to burning of the corpses of hapless victims. Only a few days ago indeed, members of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) demonstrated at Jos, the Plateau State Capital, to draw attention to the attacks and the over 50 drivers and about 100 trailers burnt over the last eight years,” it stated.

“Equally worrisome is the silence of national security agencies and the federal and state governments. ACF asserts that the attacks constitute a serious threat to national security with the potential to lead to the breakdown of law and order and generalised anarchy.

According to the forum, “Needless to assert, absolutely, no individual or groups should be allowed free rein to visit murder, looting, arson, vandalism and general brigandage on innocent citizens. 

They expressed their saddened by the development and fully supports the contemplation by NARTO and NURTW to boycott the haulage of goods to and from the South-East until the situation is brought under control.

The forum, however, extends condolences to the families and friends of victims of the attacks, calls on the federal and relevant state authorities, as well as the security agencies to step-up to stop the unprovoked and extra-constitutional actions by the terror groups.

“At the very minimum, perpetrators of the dastardly acts must be fished out and brought to justice. The relevant authorities ought to declare a state of emergency on the matter”.

The ACF further decries the silence or lip service by South-East elite, politically exposed persons and socio-cultural groups on the issue and calls on them to end the lip service and neglect but publicly condemn the barbarism being visited on northerners and northern-owned businesses in the region.”

However, they called on the governments of Enugu and Imo states to pay full compensation for lives and injuries as well as the goods lost to the attacks.