The apex northern socio-cultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has, while congratulating the Muslim Ummah for a successful Ramadan, called on  Niger Delta terrorists to lay down their arms in the spirit of Eid-el-Fitr and national development.

In a sallah message issued yesterday by the forum and signed by its national publicity secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim, noted that,“the holy month of Ramadan of 1437AH (2016AD) has come to an end with the sighting of Shawwal moon. The period of Ramadan was an opportunity for Muslims all over the world to fast, pray, and devote themselves to the reading and teachings of the Holy Quran, practices and sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

“It was also an occasion where Muslims reaffirm their belief in the oneness of Almighty Allah (SWT) and commitment to the ideals of Islam. Muslims also prayed fervently for peace, unity and understanding among Nigerians, they also helped the less privilege and the poor in our midst in view of the prevailing economic hardships and other inequalities nationwide.

“ACF, therefore, wishes the Muslim Ummah a peaceful and Happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration and equally urges Muslims to continue to devote themselves to prayers for unity and peaceful coexistence in view of the security, social, economic and many other challenges confronting Nigeria.

“ACF in the spirit of Eid el FItr celebration calls on the Niger Delta Avengers and other militant groups engaged in the destruction of oil and gas pipelines and other economic structures to lay down their arms and embrace the Federal Government’s offer of dialogue”

According to ACF, destroying oil installations was not a solution to whatever perceived grievances the terrorist group may have against the government or oil companies.

ACF stressed that development and prosperity could only tbe achieved in an atmosphere of peace and understanding and not violence and destruction.