The middle belt forum in Nigeria is demanding adequate socio-economic compensation from the Federal and State Governments for the loss of lives and property of the middle belt groups occasioned by incessant unprovoked attacks by Fulani herdsmen, insisting on the prosecution of perpetrators of the heinous crimes.

The forum is made up of minority interest groups in northern Nigeria under the auspices of the middle belt forum to discuss issues affecting the geo-political zone.

It is aimed at charting a new cause for the geo-political zone in view of the incessant attacks on citizens of the zone as well as repositioning the zone for political relevance.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the conference on minority interest rights in Jos, Plateau State capital, the conference noted the constitutional duty of the Federal Government of Nigeria to protect lives and property of its citizens and expressed utter dismay at the failure of government to curb the incessant, unwarranted killings and wanton destruction of property perpetrated against the citizens of the middle belt.

The group called on the government to rise up to its responsibility to avert any civil strife.

Minority groups were represented from thirteen states of the north comprising plateau, Benue, Gombe, Kwara, Nassarawa, Taraba, Kogi, Adamawa, Niger, Borno, Bauchi as well as Kaduna and Yobe States at the ethnic minority conference.

Addressing the gathering on the political, psychological and social practices of the northern majority ethnic groups in comparison with ethnic minority of the middle belt, Professor Turaki Yususfu, traced the creation of the middle belt and its importance to the development of the country.

The conference which was divided into several groupings discussed issues affecting the region such as revival and revitalisation of the rich and diverse cultural heritage and values irrespective of religion and other values.