From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The Middle-Belt Youth Forum has claimed that over 3 million people have been killed and displaced as a result of the lingering impasse between herdsmen and farmers in the region.
Leader of the Group, Brent Kame, told journalists yesterday in Abuja, that the crisis has worsened hunger and destitution as most people have run away.
He called on President Bola Tinubu, to address the situation before it gets out of hand.
“The Middle Belt has witnessed mass killings, the wanton destruction of farms and homes, and a pervasive lack of peace and order.
“I can tell you that we have lost over 3 million people.
“Consequently, millions of people have been displaced from their ancestral homes, flooding the already overwhelmed IDP camps,” he said.
He said efforts by state governments to address the harm unleashed by marauding herdsmen have not yielded the desired results.
He said: “However, their efforts have been met with staunch resistance from the terrorists themselves. Determined to displace people from their homes and seize their lands, these terrorists have vowed to oppose any government, or group that seeks to neutralise their movements.
“As a new government assumes power, we urge the current administration to resolutely and unwaveringly confront the evil perpetrated by herdsmen. Nigeria cannot and must not be handed over to terrorists.”
Weighing in on the fuel subsidy removal, Kame said the timing was wrong given the socio-economic hardship affecting citizens.
“The removal of fuel subsidy without a corresponding increase in wages and adequate measures to alleviate the burden on citizens is deeply distressing.
“As a means of resolving this issue, we urge the government to reconsider the complete removal of fuel subsidy and instead focus on establishing at least one refinery before implementing such a measure,” he said.
