Governor Rotimi Akeredolu recently via his Twitter handle gave an ultimatum to the Fulani herdsmen living in his state to vacate the state’s forest. The threat came as a result of rampant cases of kidnapping alleged to have been carried out by the Fulani in the state. Some Nigerians have expressed displeasure and disappointment with the governor’s eviction nicely, citing chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution which gives every Nigerian the right of movement from one place to another.
Governor Akeredolu who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and a former chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) knows his order will infringe on the rights of many innocent Fulani who have resided in the state for centuries. Governor Akeredolu’s allegations of crime committed by the Fulani might not be far from the truth. Northern Nigeria which is the epicentre of clashes between nomadic and sedentary farmers can attest to this simple fact. The bandits’ attacks in Katsina, Zamfara and Kaduna states are believed to be the handiwork of some criminal Fulani minds.
Besides, nobody can dispute the claims made by the governor who is also the chief security officer of his state. However, the alleged Fulani criminals couldn’t have committed the alleged crimes alone; there must be an element of truth that, most of the crimes being perpetrated by the Fulani is in connivance with locals or natives who often provide information about their victims.
What about the allegations that some Fulani from neighbouring countries take advantage of our porous borders to attack, kidnap and rob many communities? Many Fulani are also victims of the criminals among them. Think about the cattle rustlers who continue to make lives difficult for their fellow tribesmen. What about the ethnic militias who continue to kill and steal their cattle? For decades, Fulani herdsmen have continued to face multi-faceted challenges ranging from climate change to urbanization and organized crime. The Federal Government proposed “RUGA” policies which would have forced the Fulani herders to abandon the old method of rearing cattle for the modern one, has been politicized. Benue State said it would not provide land for ranches. No wonder, other states followed suit.
While the Ondo State government has made a u-turn and agreed that only the registered Fulani herdsmen would be allowed to reside in the state, in Oyo State, it is a different story. An ethnic warrior, Sunday Igboho, dared Governor Seyi Makinde and instigated youths to attack Fulani communities. The unfortunate attacks, as usual, attracted condemnation and re-ignited war of words between the leadership of Afenifere and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF). I think, the war of attrition between these socio-cultural organizations will not go beyond Fulani “must go”and Fulani “must stay” mantra. Honestly, every geo-political zone has a sad story to tell about how it suffered in the hands of criminal Fulani. Let us identify the criminal Fulani, expel and apprehend them. Let them face the laws of the land for the atrocities committed. We cannot continue to stigmatise all the Fulani because of the sins of a few.
Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, writes from Kaduna State
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