The Joint Action Committee of Northern Youth Associations (JACON) has strongly condemned what it described as illegal sealing of the National Headquarters of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
JACON argued that sealing a private property and a civil society office without a valid court order by Nigerian police is unconstitutional and amounts to overstepping its constitutional mandate.
A solidarity press statement jointly signed by Muhammad Isa, Director of Public and Strategic Communication, and Comrade Raphael Terkolar, Secretary, of the Association, on Thursday, described the police action as a draconian and dangerous assault on the rule of law, fundamental rights of association, and the sanctity of civil society organisations in Northern Nigeria
“JACON has received with utter shock, dismay, and unequivocal condemnation the unfortunate and illegal sealing of the National Headquarters of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.
“This draconian action, currently in force represents a dangerous assault on the rule of law, fundamental rights of association, and the sanctity of civil society organisations in Northern Nigeria.
“There is no justification for the unilateral shutdown of the ACF’s headquarters—a foremost socio-cultural umbrella body of the North—without due process of law.
“As Northern youth leaders, we stand in total solidarity with the ACF. We view this development not as an isolated act but as a calculated pattern of intimidation against voices of reason and conscience in our region.
“We strongly condemn the Nigeria Police Force for overstepping its constitutional mandate. Sealing a private property and civil society office without a valid court order is not only unconstitutional but also smacks of fascism and an abuse of power”, they stated.
The association also demand that the Inspector General of Police should immediately identify and sanction the officers responsible for this illegality.
JACON further called out all individuals and groups behind the undemocratic action, suspecting that the act was designed to silence the ACF from speaking against the grave injustices, the misuse of public funds, and the erosion of constitutional governance in the country.
“Those who sponsor such authoritarian tactics must be held accountable. We urge the leadership of the ACF not to be cowed by this authoritarian provocation”, they added.
The body strongly advises the ACF to immediately file a lawsuit against the Nigeria Police Force and any other parties involved, seeking damages and a declaratory judgment that such extra-judicial sealing is unlawful.
It urged ACF to pursue the matter to its logical conclusion in a court of competent jurisdiction to set a precedent that will deter future attacks on civil society organisations, and resist any backdoor negotiations that legitimise this illegal act.
“Let it be known to the Nigeria Police Force and their sponsors that the youth of Northern Nigeria will not stand idle while the last bastions of our collective voice are silenced.
“We call for the immediate unsealing and reopening of the ACF headquarters without any further delay. Failure to do so will compel the Northern youth constituency to mobilise for peaceful protests and civil action to defend our democratic space.
“The Joint Action Committee of Northern Youth Associations will continue to monitor this situation closely. We commend the ACF for its restraint so far, but now is the time to fight back through the law. We pledge our full moral, legal, and mobilisation support to the ACF in this battle to defend our constitution.
“Together, we shall overcome this authoritarian menace” the association furiously stated.
