A prominent northern socio-cultural group has blasted what it calls discriminatory arrests in Ondo State. The Arewa Consultative Forum condemned alleged profiling and deportation threats targeting women from the north.
Bashir M. Dalhatu chairs the ACF's Board of Trustees.
He issued a statement denouncing the conduct as unconstitutional and unlawful.
Videos circulated online showing operatives of Amotekun allegedly detaining Hausa and Fulani women. The security outfit's personnel were seen publicly parading the arrested individuals.
ACF described the incidents as deeply troubling. According to the group, state officials attempted to intimidate and threaten deportation of fellow Nigerians.
Nigeria's constitution protects freedom of movement nationwide. Citizens possess the right to live and work anywhere without ethnic or religious discrimination.
No state government holds power to deport Nigerians between regions, the forum stressed. Every person has equal rights across the federation.
"There is no provision under Nigerian law that empowers any state government, security outfit or local authority to deport Nigerian citizens from one part of the federation to another," the statement read.
Victims appeared to be women engaged in legitimate business and social ventures. Their public humiliation contradicts democratic principles, ACF argued.
Amotekun faces mounting questions over its operational conduct. The organization acknowledged regional security concerns but rejected ethnic targeting as a solution.
Lawful investigations and intelligence work should guide law enforcement efforts, not blanket profiling. Criminality cannot justify penalizing entire communities.
"Entire communities cannot be criminalised because of the actions of a few individuals," the forum stated. Such approaches breed resentment and fracture national cohesion.
ACF warned that these actions jeopardize unity and peaceful relations among Nigerians. Thousands of southwesterners work and do business in the north unmolested.
Ondo State authorities must investigate thoroughly and punish wrongdoing. The forum wants clarity on what exactly occurred.
Federal authorities should also scrutinize the matter closely. Both security agencies and the National Human Rights Commission need to act.
Constitutional protections for those affected must be guaranteed. Government must shield citizens from abuse of state power.
Ongoing debates about state police require careful safeguards. Without strong checks, policing powers could easily become tools for discrimination.
"Nigeria belongs equally to all Nigerians," the statement concluded. "No citizen should ever be treated as an alien in his or her own country."
