ACF WARNS AGAINST ETHNIC PROFILING OF FULANI WOMEN BY ONDO AMOTEKUN

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has cautioned that alleged ethnic profiling by a security outfit in Ondo State may undermine national cohesion and heighten tensions across the country.

In a statement issued by its Board of Trustees Chairman, Alhaji Bashir M. Dalhatu, the forum reacted to a viral video purportedly showing operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, known as Amotekun, arresting and publicly parading some women identified as Hausa/Fulani residents in the state.

ACF described the incident as discriminatory and unconstitutional, insisting that no Nigerian should be treated as an outsider on the basis of ethnicity.

The forum stated that no government agency—federal, state, or local—has the authority to classify citizens as strangers within their own country due to their ethnic background.

It also rejected alleged claims that the women were threatened with deportation, stressing that such action has no legal basis under Nigerian law.

ACF emphasized that every Nigerian has the constitutional right to live, move, and work freely anywhere in the country without fear of discrimination or expulsion.

The forum further expressed concern that the affected women were reportedly engaged in lawful activities before the incident, adding that public humiliation on ethnic grounds is unacceptable in a democratic society.

While acknowledging Nigeria’s security challenges, ACF urged security agencies to adopt intelligence-led policing rather than profiling entire communities.

It warned that criminalising groups based on the actions of a few individuals is unjust and could endanger national peace and stability.

The forum also cautioned that such incidents risk deepening mistrust among ethnic groups and weakening national unity.

ACF called on the Ondo State Government to investigate the allegations, clarify the circumstances, and sanction any officials found culpable.

It further urged the Federal Government, security agencies, and the National Human Rights Commission to probe the matter and ensure the protection of the rights of all affected persons.