The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has urged the Abia government and the Police Command to be proactive in curtailing attacks against northerners in the state in the future.

The ACF was reacting to the attack on the new Abia cattle market in Omuma Ozo.

In a statement in Kaduna on Friday, national publicity secretary of the ACF, Emmanuel Yawe, called on the government and security agencies to be proactive going forward instead of being reactive.

Also commending the authorities, the ACF said they were informed that “immediately the attack in which eight people and some cattle died, there was immediate response from the relevant authorities.”

The northern interest group added that they were “assured that security measures will be taken at the market to ensure the protection of life, property in the future.”

ACF also sympathised with the families of those who lost their lives and properties and urged them to remain calm as the government look into their plights.

“Those who have lost loved ones should not take the laws into their hands as the cause of the deadly attack is yet to be established,” the ACF said.

The Forum further called on the security agencies to speed up investigations and restore the bereaved families confidence.

(NAN)