ACF Raises Alarm Over Alleged Amotekun Arrest of Hausa/Fulani Women in Ondo

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed concern over what it described as the alleged ethnic profiling of Hausa/Fulani women by operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun, warning that such actions could undermine national unity and fuel ethnic tensions across the country.

The position of the forum was contained in a statement issued by the Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Alhaji Bashir Muhammad Dalhatu, following the circulation of a viral video purportedly showing Amotekun operatives arresting and publicly parading women identified as Hausa/Fulani residents in Ondo State.

ACF described the reported incident as discriminatory, unconstitutional, and contrary to the principles of national integration, stressing that no Nigerian citizen should be treated as a stranger in any part of the country because of ethnic origin.

According to the forum, every Nigerian has a constitutional right to reside, work, and move freely within any part of the federation without fear of discrimination or harassment.

Read Also:

Ganduje Links Rising Begging in North to Poor Support for Disabled Persons

“No agency of government, whether federal, state or local, has the right to treat citizens as outsiders in their own country because of ethnicity,” the forum stated.

The ACF also faulted reports alleging that the affected women were threatened with deportation, insisting that no state government or security agency possesses the legal authority to deport Nigerian citizens from one state to another.

“Every Nigerian has the right to live, move and work freely in any part of the country, and no authority is empowered to deport citizens from one state to another,” it added.

The forum further expressed concern that the women involved were reportedly engaged in lawful activities before the incident occurred, noting that public humiliation or targeting of citizens based on ethnicity has no place in a democratic society governed by the rule of law.

While acknowledging the security challenges confronting many parts of the country, ACF urged security agencies to adopt intelligence-driven approaches to crime prevention and law enforcement rather than profiling entire communities based on ethnic identity.

“Entire communities cannot be criminalised because of the actions of a few individuals. That approach is unjust and dangerous to national peace,” the forum warned.

The ACF cautioned that incidents capable of creating mistrust among ethnic groups could weaken national cohesion and threaten the country’s long-standing unity if not properly addressed.

Consequently, the forum called on the Ondo State Government to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, provide clarification to the public, and take appropriate action against any officials found to have acted outside the law.

It also urged the Federal Government, relevant security agencies, and the National Human Rights Commission to examine the allegations and ensure that the rights and dignity of all affected persons are adequately protected.

The forum reiterated its commitment to the promotion of justice, equality, and peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic, religious, or regional backgrounds.