Youths from the North denounce the closure of ACF's main office

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The Joint Action Committee of Northern Youth Associations has condemned the sealing of the national headquarters of the Arewa Consultative Forum by police operatives, describing the action as unconstitutional and unacceptable.

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The group made its position known in a statement issued on Thursday in Kaduna by its Director of Public and Strategic Communication, Muhammad Isa, and the committee’s secretary, Raphael Terkolar.

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JACON said the action taken against the ACF headquarters represented a violation of constitutional rights and due process.

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According to the group, the sealing of the office of a socio-cultural organisation without lawful procedure amounts to intimidation and abuse of power.

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“As Northern youth leaders, we stand in solidarity with the ACF and view the development as a dangerous precedent capable of undermining democratic principles and civic freedom,” the statement said.

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The committee called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the incident and sanction officers involved in the action.

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It also urged the leadership of the ACF to seek legal redress against the Nigeria Police Force and other parties connected with the sealing of the office.

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JACON advised the ACF to pursue the matter in court to ensure that such incidents do not recur.

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The group further demanded the immediate reopening and unsealing of the ACF headquarters.

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It warned that continued actions aimed at suppressing legitimate civic organisations could trigger peaceful democratic responses from Northern youth groups and concerned stakeholders.

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JACON reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of democracy, constitutional governance and the rights of lawful organisations to operate freely without intimidation.

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Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Police Command said its action was aimed at preventing a possible breakdown of law and order between two groups in the ACF.

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(NAN)

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