The Northern Elders Forum, NEF, has lamented that the Northern part of the country has become a killing field.
NEF made the remark while condemning the latest killing of travellers in Jos, Plateau State.
Unknown gunmen had attacked travelers on Saturday in Rukuba road area of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attack claimed many lives, while others were left injured.
Reacting, NEF described the attack as an outrageous provocation which is affecting communal interactions.
A statement by NEF’s spokesman, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, charged President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor of the State, Simon Lalong not to ignore the crime.
The Forum said Buhari and Lalong should ensure that those behind the crime were prosecuted.
According to Baba-Ahmed: “Northern Elders Forum is shocked by the cold blooded murder of scores of travelers by locals in Jos, Plateau State.
“Notwithstanding the fact that most of the North of Nigeria is now a virtual killing field, this particular incident is an outrageous provocation, and it compounds the deteriorating community relations in this and many parts of the region.
“The Forum has taken note of the statement of President Muhammadu Buhari and the steps taken by Governor of Plateau State, HE Simon Lalong. These reactions must produce immediate results in arrests and prosecutions.
“Under no circumstances must this heinous crime be ignored or treated as routine.”
Baba-Ahmed also called for restraints in the affected area because reprisal attacks would lead to more killings.
He said: “While condoling families of those murdered, the Forum appeals to all communities to show the highest levels of restraint and tolerance. Killings and reprisals only endanger lives of more people, most of them innocent.”
NEF further lamented the rising activities of armed gunmen in the Northern part of the country.
Baba-Ahmed said the government should ensure Nigerians understands that there are “consequences for their actions, or the country will sink deeper into lawlessness and anarchy.”
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