Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle of Zamfara state has called for a stop to frequent attacks on Northerners and their economic interests across the country.
The governor made this known in a statement, Thursday saying: “This is not the time to play politics or to play to the gallery but to tell ourselves the real truth for Nigeria to prosper as a nation and to prevent the situation of anarchy some disgruntled, unpatriotic Nigerians want to drag the nation to.
“As Northern leaders, our dignified silence in the face of constant provocation, attacks because of our desire for peace MUST not be taken as a sign of weakness as no community, no region has the monopoly of violence. If Northerners and their means of livelihood will not be protected, accommodated and be dignified anywhere they chose to stay in any part of the South, Southerners should NOT expect such reciprocal protection from the North as the North has more than what it takes to respond to any kind of aggression and hatred.
“We have seen the destruction, the killings and the devastation recently at Sasha Market against Northerners and their economic interests. Properties worth billions of Naira were lost in addition to human lives yet some leaders in the South West are downplaying the atrocities committed or at best justifying it. Some of them have shamefully gone to the extent of apportioning blames on the victims and casualties of their aggression.
“Last Sunday’s killings of innocent Northerners in Imo is one too many and no matter how we love peace, leaders with conscience and fear of God MUST speak out against this continued barbarism and hatred. If that is allowed to continue we will not take that any longer as NO human life is better than another.
“No business interest is better than another. In fact, in crisis situation, the South has more to lose in terms of its business interests in the North and the strategic nature they established themselves in the North than Northerners living in the South. The North is very much aware of such weaknesses and disadvantages the South is exposed to whenever there is such crisis but we always chose the path of peace and cherish peace beyond any act of lawlessness and hatred.
