Goods haulage to South-East: ACF warns against attacks on northern truck drivers

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has condemned attacks on drivers of heavy-duty haulage trucks/trailers conveying goods to and from the South-East region of the country.

The ACF said the drivers were subjected to vicious and unprovoked attacks, leading to their murder, burning of vehicles, and looting of goods in transit, such as foodstuff and cattle, among others.

The Forum stated that the attacks directed only on northerners and northern-owned property were carried out by gunmen who claimed membership of terror groups, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB and the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

It added 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.”

The ACF said this in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. T A Muhammad-Baba, on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.

The Forum noted: “ACF is most concerned about the barbaric activities of the terrorists and unequivocally condemns the absence of any visible attempts to tame them. Equally worrisome is the silence of national security agencies and the federal and state governments.

“Absolutely no individual or groups should be allowed free rein to visit murder, looting, arson, vandalism and general brigandage on innocent citizens.

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“ACF is gravely 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 ACF, while extending condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the attacks, called on the federal and relevant state governments 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 as any escalation of the attacks as appear to be happening appear set to worsen, with innocent citizens undertaking legitimate businesses bearing the brunt,” it added.

The Forum also urged the governments of Enugu and Imo States to pay full compensation for lives and injuries as well as the goods lost to the attacks.

The Star