ACF condemns alleged profiling, deportation threat against Northern women in Ondo

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has condemned the alleged arrest, profiling and threatened deportation of some Northern women by operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun.

In a statement issued and signed by its Board of Trustees Chairman, Bashir M. Dalhatu, the forum described the reported action as discriminatory, unconstitutional and a violation of the rights of Nigerian citizens.

ACF said it was reacting to a widely circulated video allegedly showing Amotekun operatives arresting and publicly parading women identified as Hausa/Fulani Northerners resident in Ondo State.

The forum maintained that every Nigerian has the constitutional right to move freely and reside in any part of the country without discrimination based on ethnic origin, religion, language or place of birth.

It stated that no government agency at any level had the legal authority to treat citizens as strangers in their own country or compel them to return to their states or regions of origin.

“The attempt to profile, intimidate and threaten fellow Nigerians with deportation has no basis in law and is incompatible with the constitutional order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement said.

According to ACF, the alleged victims appeared to be women engaged in lawful economic and social activities, adding that public humiliation based on ethnic identity and guilt by association should not be tolerated.

The forum acknowledged security challenges facing various parts of the country but stressed that criminality must be addressed through lawful investigation, credible intelligence gathering and evidence-based law enforcement.

It warned against criminalising entire communities because of the actions of a few individuals, noting that such actions could heighten ethnic tensions and undermine national unity.

ACF further expressed concern that actions capable of targeting citizens on ethnic grounds could threaten peaceful coexistence, especially given the presence of people from different parts of the country living and conducting business across regions.

The forum called on the Ondo State Government to investigate the incident, clarify the circumstances surrounding it and sanction any officials found to have acted outside the law.

It also urged the Federal Government, security agencies and the National Human Rights Commission to examine the matter and ensure that the rights of affected persons were protected.

The forum added that the incident had raised concerns over discussions on state policing and underscored the need for constitutional and institutional safeguards against abuse and discrimination.

ACF reiterated that Nigeria belongs equally to all citizens and that no Nigerian should be treated as an alien in any part of the country.