The Middle Belt Forum (MBF), an umbrella body representing over 50 million Nigerians from the North Central, North East, and North West regions, has expressed concerns about the safety of Nigerians, particularly Middle Belters, ahead of the planned August protest.
In a statement signed by Yusuf Solomon Danbaki, Public Relations Officer, and made available to the media on July 24, 2024, the MBF noted that during its Second Executive Meeting in Kaduna, chaired by Comrade Luka Binniyat, the forum discussed the planned protest and the potential risks associated with it. The statement revealed that the meeting discussed reports of foreigners from neighboring countries arriving in Kaduna State to join the protest and potentially turn it violent.
The MBF has raised genuine security concerns, prompting the forum to advise Middle Belt youths in Kaduna State to refrain from participating in the protest due to safety concerns and the risk of being used to achieve the sponsors’ objectives.
The MBF acknowledges the legitimacy of peaceful demonstrations in addressing the country’s hardships and drawing government attention. However, the involvement of violent sponsored foreigners has compromised the safety of the event and the message of the demonstration.
The security situation has been reported to the national president of the MBF, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, who is gathering feedback from other Middle Belt states before issuing an official position on behalf of the entire Middle Belters.