Arewa youth leader threatens retaliation over alleged killings of northerners in Rivers

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A man who appeared as a leader of Arewa youths has issued a warning of possible retaliation following reports of attacks on northerners in parts of southern Nigeria.

In a video shared online, the youth leader expressed outrage over what he described as repeated assaults on northerners in Rivers and Enugu states. He warned that failure to bring those responsible to justice could lead to reprisals.

“Very soon, we will avenge the killing of Northerners killed in Rivers State,” he said. “If our people are not brought to justice, we are going to retaliate.”

He stated that several northern youths had been killed in Port Harcourt and other areas.

Despite his strong remarks, he appealed for restraint. He urged northern youths to remain calm and allow security agencies to handle the situation. He also called on authorities to act quickly to prevent further tension.

“We have Igbos living in Abuja. The majority of businesses in northern Nigeria are owned by Igbos, and they are living in peace,” he said.

The leader further stated that some prominent Ijaw figures in Port Harcourt had spoken out against the violence.

Meanwhile, the Hausa community in Rivers State recently alleged that four of its members were killed during a protest at the Oil Mill Market in the Rumuokwurusi area of Port Harcourt.

The Chairman of the Hausa Community in the state, Musa Saidu, made the claim after visiting the affected area with other northern leaders. He said several shops owned by northerners were looted and destroyed.

“About four northern traders were killed during the protest at Oil Mill Market. I visited the area with some journalists and saw that many shops had been looted,” Saidu said.

He urged residents from the North to remain peaceful. He described them as law-abiding citizens engaged in legitimate businesses.

The unrest followed the killing of an indigene, Nchelem Samuel Festus, who was allegedly stabbed by a northern commercial motorcyclist in Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area.

Festus was said to have been accused of attempting to steal a motorcycle from a shop owned by northerners. During an attempt to recover the motorcycle, a dispute broke out. The motorcyclist allegedly stabbed him, and he later died from the injuries.

The incident, which occurred on February 10, triggered protests. Demonstrators accused northern commercial motorcyclists of crimes such as rape and kidnapping. They also blocked the road leading to the Port Harcourt International Airport and demanded a ban on their operations.