ACF condemns alleged profiling, deportation threat against Northern Women in Ondo
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has condemned the alleged profiling, arrest and threatened deportation of some northern women by operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun. In a statement issued by the Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Bashir M. Dalhatu, the forum described the action as discriminatory, unconstitutional and […]
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has condemned the alleged profiling, arrest and threatened deportation of some northern women by operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun.
In a statement issued by the Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Bashir M. Dalhatu, the forum described the action as discriminatory, unconstitutional and a violation of the rights of Nigerian citizens.
ACF said it was disturbed by a widely circulated video showing Amotekun operatives allegedly arresting, profiling and publicly parading a group of women identified as Hausa/Fulani northerners residing and carrying out lawful activities in Ondo State.
“The attempt by officials of the Ondo State Amotekun Corps to profile, intimidate and threaten to deport fellow Nigerians to their states or regions of origin is especially alarming,” the forum said.
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According to ACF, the Nigerian Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to move freely, reside and conduct lawful activities in any part of the country without discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, language or place of birth.
The forum stressed that no state government, security outfit or local authority has the legal power to deport Nigerian citizens from one part of the federation to another.
“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. Every Nigerian has an equal stake in every part of Nigeria,” it stated.
The northern socio-cultural organisation expressed concern that the affected persons appeared to be women engaged in legitimate economic and social activities, describing their public humiliation as unacceptable in a democratic society.
While acknowledging the security challenges confronting many states, ACF maintained that criminality should be addressed through lawful investigations, intelligence gathering and evidence-based law enforcement rather than ethnic profiling.
“Entire communities cannot be criminalised because of the actions of a few individuals. To do so is unjust, counterproductive and a direct invitation to ethnic tension,” the statement added.
The forum further warned that such actions could threaten national unity and peaceful coexistence, noting that thousands of people from Ondo State and the South-West live and conduct businesses across northern Nigeria without harassment.
ACF 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 constitutional rights of those affected are protected.
The forum said the incident also raised concerns about the ongoing debate on state police, stressing the need for strong constitutional and institutional safeguards against abuse, discrimination and misuse of policing powers.
“Nigeria belongs equally to all Nigerians. No citizen should ever be treated as an alien in his or her own country,” the statement said.