Northern elders urge President Buhari, governors to protect Fulani in the South

The Northern Elders Forum, NEF, yesterday, urged President Muhammadu Buhari and governors of the 36 states of the federation to explore all available channels to protect the Fulani communities in the South.

The call came, apparently, against the backdrop of the order given by Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to herdsmen to vacate the state’s forest reserves and the ultimatum given the herders by Yoruba "freedom fighter", Sunday Adeyemo, aka Igboho, to vacate Ibarapa community in Oyo State.

This came on a day Benue State Deputy Governor, Benson Abounu, advised Ondo, Oyo and other states experiencing herdsmen crisis in the country to consider the enactment of anti-open grazing laws as was done in Benue State to stave off incessant farmers/herders’ clashes.

This is even as bandits again invaded Niger communities in Shiroro Local Government Area early yesterday morning, killing 21 persons and kidnapping 40.

Similarly, six masked bandits yesterday killed a yet-to-be-ascertained number of locals at Warsa Piti in Mariri District of Jere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, as herders’ settlement in Zangon Kataf was also invaded in reprisal attacks.

NEF tasks Buhari

Director, Publicity and Advocacy, NEF, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, who made the call in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, also insisted that no politician has the right to outsource the work of the police to local thugs and gangs.

According to him, the forum is worried by the reports of forced ejections and attacks on Fulani herders, their families and communities in some states of the South since January 31, 2021.

NEF contended that such targeted attacks represented a danger for all Nigerians, hence the need for those attacking Fulani communities in the South and setting the country on a dangerous path to be arrested and prosecuted.

The statement read: “Northern Elders Forum is deeply worried by reports of ejections under threats and attacks on Fulani herders, families and communities in some states of the South.

“The Forum has received these reports since the night of Sunday, January 31, and had taken the responsible step by drawing the attention of authorities to the dangers which these attacks represent for all Nigerians.

“We have also advised law-abiding Fulani communities to seek protection where it is available, and have appealed to other Fulani to resist the temptation to take the law into their own hands.

“It is necessary to warn people who threaten law-abiding Fulani communities in all parts of Nigeria, but particularly in some parts of the South, to desist. Majority of the Fulani are law-abiding and have rights to live lawfully wherever they can find means of subsistence.

“Like all Nigerians who can be found in every inch of Nigeria, the rights of the Fulani will not be abridged by criminals hiding behind ethnic interests to exterminate them.

“Citizens and groups who play the role of police and other law-enforcement agencies are committing crimes, and they must be stopped by leaders who are sworn to protect the law and security of all Nigerians.

“The Forum reminds the nation that there are criminals in all ethnic groups, and the nation will be treading dangerous grounds if it continues to tolerate the demonization of entire groups over particular types of crimes.

“The Forum calls on President Muhammadu Buhari and state governors to take immediate and decisive steps to protect law-abiding members of Fulani communities from killers and criminals who apparently believe that Fulani have no rights in Nigeria.

“It demands the immediate arrest and prosecution of persons who are attacking Fulani and setting the country on a very dangerous path.

“The Forum repeats its earlier position: the Fulani will not be ejected from any Nigerian community only on the basis of being Fulani or herding cattle within the limits of laws and regulations.

“States which seek to limit criminal activities are perfectly entitled to do so, but they must follow due process, and avoid exposing innocent citizens to danger at all cost.”

The Police

“The Forum demands that the Nigeria Police must live up to its constitutional responsibility to detect crimes and arrest and prosecute criminals, whoever they are. No politician has the right to outsource the work of the police to local thugs and gangs.”

The Forum said if communities in parts of the country insisted that the Fulani was unwelcome, it would advise them to relocate to the North.

Continuing, NEF stated: “Northern governors should move urgently to prepare to receive Fulani communities being forcefully ejected.

“The Forum appeals again to all Nigerians to exercise restraint and not play into the hands of people who desire to achieve dubious political goals by pitching citizens against one another.”

According to the Northern elders, people who inflame passions by circulating targeted videos and other materials should also desist.

“The Forum hopes that Nigerians will see firm, fair and responsible leadership from all elected leaders without delay,” NEF added.