The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has said youths in the North have been mobilizing themselves via messages on social media, to stage reprisal attacks on igbos and their businesses in the region.
The ACF however, urged such youths to desist from such 'evil plans,' saying the forum stands against all lawless acts of self help.
The forum also faults leaders in the country for their utterances which they say also inflames regional, ethnic and religious divisions in the country, urging thrn to exercise restraint.
The ACF stated this in a communique issued at the end of its National Executive Council meeting (NEC) on Thursday in Kaduna, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Emmanuel Yawe.
The forum which expressed displeasure at the state of affairs in the North, also condemned the unfortunate kiIIings of some northerners in the South East and called on security agencies to investigate the kiIIings and fish out the culprits.
Warning against retaliation, it said, “We warn our youths who have suddenly started distributing messages on the social media calling on reprisal attacks on Ibos and their business interests in the north.
“We the Arewa Consultative Forum stand against all lawless acts of self help and call on all northern youths to stop such evil plans.”
Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, has also accused Christian leaders of creating division among Nigerians by preaching hate from the pulpit.
"He said, I am surprised at some of our clerics, particularly the Christian ones, since it is the religion I am more familiar with. They speak as if they read another Bible. They preach hate from the pulpits, propagate falsehood, generate animosity against government. And when these things are fully grown, the animus boils over, leads to vioIence and upheavals, lives are lost."
"Don’t these preachers of hate know that they are liable, and won’t be found guiltless?"