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Tag: Fulani

  • IPOB bans Fulani cows in Southeast, says only Igbo cows are allowed

    IPOB bans Fulani cows in Southeast, says only Igbo cows are allowed

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Monday said cows reared by Fulani herdsmen would no longer be used for any social event in the Southest, as native cows reared by the Igbos will only be used

    The group stated this in a New Year address by its Head of Directorate Mazi Chika Edoziem through its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful.

    The ban, IPOB said, would take effect from April.

    It said only native cows would be allowed in the region for such events.

    It urged the traditional leaders, to ensure to pass message to the grassroots

    The group said the ban place on Fulani cows will take effect on Apil 2022

    “Effective that month, Fulani cows will not be used for any social or ceremonial events and festival in Biafraland.

    “Our native cows will be used instead for these events.

    “Traditional custodians of our culture, the clergy and town unions must ensure that this message gets to the grassroots.”

  • Huriwa Lambasts Defence Minister Over Pampering of Fulani Terrorists

    Huriwa Lambasts Defence Minister Over Pampering of Fulani Terrorists

    • Challenge military chiefs to show remain of terrorists killed by soldiers in the North-West

    “A situation whereby Nigerians are taken for granted by the heads of the security architectures who are all of the same Northern Moslem extractions and we are told that the armed forces are waging military actions targeted at eradicating the terrorists in the North West who are mostly Fulani by ethnicity same as the heads of the security institutions under Muhammadu Buhari who appointed only his kinsmen into those strategic national institutions but in actual fact these same terrorists that the government has refused to classify appropriately as terrorists but prefers to call them bandits are still carrying out massive attacks on soft and military targets”. 

    “HURIWA as well as millions of rational Nigerians are not convinced that the armed forces headed by persons of same section of Nigeria and same religion are actually carrying out any military actions targeted at eradicating the terrorists in the North West”. 

    “Few days ago, the newspapers reported that no fewer than 20 operatives of Nigeria security agencies were butchered in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State and bodies set ablaze by the notorious bandits operating in the state.” 

    HURIWA said It was gathered that the security operatives were sent to a village where bandits have been ravaging for a long time without any security stoppage. It was gathered that bandits ambushed the security operatives, killed scores of them and set the corpses on fire in the early hours of Friday.Among the victims was Alhaji Shehu Mallami, a resident of the community. When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Mr. Aminu Mary confirmed the incident, saying that the state commandant of the corps had already left to the scene to ascertain what really happened.”

    HURIWA said the above factual accounts makes it necessary that the heads of the security agencies must transparently show clear evidence that the terrorists in the North West are actually been targeted in series of alleged military actions because the military is often in a hurry to display corpses of Igbo boys murdered by soldiers in alleged military shootouts but the same soldiers have never displayed the corpses of the terrorists in the North West therefore creating doubts in the minds of discerning Nigerians that any military actions are going on in the North West.  

    Specifically, the HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) carpeted the minister of Defence for providing defense for the terrorists in the North West on why the government has yet to classify them as terrorists whereas the same government did not waste anytime in classifying the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra as a terrorist group. 

    HURIWA recalled that the Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (Rtd),  said that the need to follow due process was responsible for the delay in declaring bandits as terrorists.

    Magashi, who stated this on Friday, in Maiduguri, while fielding questions from newsmen, added that there was a procedure that needed to be observed before such a declaration.

    “We are not declaring them terrorists because there is a procedure for doing that.

    “When the procedure is followed, they will be classified as terrorists. We are waiting for the procedure to be completed,” NAN quoted him as saying.

    Magashi who was in Maiduguri with the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor and Service Chiefs on an assessment visit of the fight against insurgency in the North east, expressed satisfaction with the successes so far recorded.

    HURIWA however accused the federal government of pampering the terrorists in the North West only because they are of same ethnic Fulani and Muslims with the President and virtually all the heads of the internal security architectures in the Country under President Muhammadu Buhari since 2015.

    HURIWA said: “The undue zest exhibited with respect to dealing with IPOB members in Orlu and Ihiala, should therefore be extended to the north-western states. To do otherwise would give the impression that the Federal Government is applying double standards. Such practice would also give impetus to the conspiracy theorists of a hidden agenda, as the majority of the security heads are from the north-west zone, where palliatives instead of ammunition are being offered to bandits.The Federal Government must therefore do everything to avoid giving the impression that crime pays in certain parts of the country. The consequences could be very devastating in the long run. Nation

    The perception out there is that while the president is soft both in words and actions against the armed herdsmen that have been wreaking havoc in several rural communities across the country, he has been vehement and trident in condemning separatist groups, like IPOB. While the president is entitled to his private idiosyncrasies, he must exercise due diligence in matters of national importance and public perception.

    A double standard arises in politics when the treatment of the same political matters between two or more parties (such as the response to a public crisis or the allocation of funding) is handled differently. This could occur because of the nature of political relationships between those tasked with these matters, the degree of reward or power that stands to be gained/lost, or the personal biases/prejudices of politicians.

    Double standard policies can include situations when a country’s or commentator’s assessment of the same phenomenon, process or event in international relations depends on their relationship with or attitude to the parties involved.”

  • No food for South West until Fulani are safe – Miyetti Allah

    No food for South West until Fulani are safe – Miyetti Allah

    Coordinator of the Kwara State chapter of Miyetti Allah Association of Cattle Breeders, Aliyu Mohammed, has said that the blockade of cattle and foodstuffs to the South West through Kwara State will continue until the safety of Fulani is guaranteed in the region.

    Mohammed speaking to newsmen after a crucial meeting of the association in Ilorin on Sunday, said the action is a warning shot to ensure a peaceful operation of businesses by the Fulani and to end the harassment of the tribe in the south.

    He also said not all Fulani are criminals, adding “Just as you have in any society where there are good and bad people.”

    Mohammed insisted that “It is not only Fulanis that commit crimes in the country, but it was sad that everything happening now is heaped on Fulani herdsmen.”

    The coordinator said the association was ready to fish out the bad eggs in their midst.

    According to him, “We have concluded at our meeting today that anybody who comes to Kwara State claiming to be Fulani herder under questionable circumstances, will be reported to the security agencies for necessary action.

    “Our vigilantes will monitor the bush and the forests where there are no security agencies and report suspected cattle rustlers who disguise as cattle herders to perpetrate crimes,” he added.

    Mohammed appealed to the Federal government to arrest Sunday Igboho, who evicted the Fulani from Igangan in Ibarapa Local Government Area of Oyo State, for the alleged destruction of their properties and killing of their people.

    He, however, commended Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for his statesmanship in accommodating and cooperating to ensure the safe landing of Fulanis in the state.

  • I will never Apologise For Opposing Fulani Profiling – Bala Mohammed

    I will never Apologise For Opposing Fulani Profiling – Bala Mohammed

    Bauchi commissioner alleges Ortom using herders to cover up failure
    Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has said that he will never apologise for opposing profiling of patriotic Fulani herders as killers and kidnappers.

    Mohammed had last week said that “herders who carry AK-47 around do so to defend themselves against cattle rustlers that are rendering them bankrupt.” The position generated mixed reactions across the country.

    Speaking yesterday during the official launch of the 2020/2021 annual livestock vaccination campaign at Galambi Cattle Ranch in Bauchi, Mohammed said no tribe or group was free from criminality, so labelling a particular tribe was unfair and would breed disunity in the country.

    Reacting to his Benue counterpart, Samuel Ortom, who asked him to apologise for defending carrying of weapons by herders, he said the Fulani, over the years, had been making so much sacrifice in their pastoral life, adding that the supply of beef would not have been possible without herders’ contribution.

    His words: “We kicked against the profiling of the Fulani as killers and kidnappers. We have no apology for what we have done because what we have done is to say the truth, that there is no tribe or group that is free from criminality. We are not saying that to spite anybody or spark unnecessary controversy, we have made our point.

    “Nigerians have discussed it and I am happy to say that, from all indications, majority of sensible Nigerians have appreciated what we have said and that is the point. I need not mention anything of this matter for fear that controversy will be escalated, I will listen to voices of reason and keep quiet about it.”

    He called on the Fulani to make their communities free of criminality.

    “They must make sure that they fish out the bad eggs from among themselves because criminality is criminality. In as much as we will protect them from being profiled badly, they should make efforts to show that majority of them are good citizens, contributing positively to the growth and development of Nigeria,” he said.

    ALSO, Bauchi Commissioner for Environment and Housing, Hamisu Shira, has said that Governor Ortom was covering up his non-performance with excuse herdsmen’s activities. He urged Ortom to prioritise good governance in Benue like his Bauchi counterpart.

    “This is a governor that could not afford to pay salaries while the workers resorted to demonstrations,” Shira said.At a press conference yesterday, the commissioner lamented that Ortom was distracting Mohammed with his comment.

  • Fulani Kidnappers use Generators, Play Music Inside The Forest-Ondo

    Fulani Kidnappers use Generators, Play Music Inside The Forest-Ondo

    A farmer in Ijugbere axis of Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State who identified himself as Adedayo says Fulani herdsmen kidnapping in the area have generators and play music inside the forest where they hide their hostages. 

    Speaking to Reporters on Monday, Adedayo condemned the killing of three farmers in the area during the weekend.

    He said the herdsmen invaded their farm around 7 pm on Saturday and descended on the farmers, killing three while he and others ran away from the farm. 

    The farmer said the incident had created tension in the area with some residents fleeing the community.

    He said, “When they kidnap, they bring people to the forest. Now, they have generators, play music in the forest. We are in a serious problem. 

    “People should take away politics from what is happening currently, they should just forget about politics, otherwise, we are in for serious trouble if nothing is done.”

    Last month, Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of the state, issued a seven-day quit notice to the herdsmen operating illegally in the state’s forest reserves.

    Apart from ejecting the herdsmen, the governor also banned underage grazing, night grazing, and movement of cattle within the cities and on highways.

    The governor had said, “Today, we have taken major steps at addressing the root cause of kidnapping, in particular, and other nefarious activities detailed and documented in security reports, the press, and debriefings from victims of kidnap cases in Ondo State.

    “As the chief law and security officer of the state, it is my constitutional obligation to do everything lawful to protect the lives and property of all residents of the state. In light of the foregoing, the following orders are hereby issued: All forest reserves in the state are to be vacated by herdsmen within the next seven days with effect from today, Monday, January 18, 2021.”

    The issue generated an uproar and after a meeting with different stakeholders, Akeredolu asked herdsmen to register with the government so that they can operate unhindered in the forest reserves

  • Rev Pam condemns Bassa Fulani attack, enjoins natives to shun violence

    Rev Pam condemns Bassa Fulani attack, enjoins natives to shun violence

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission,Rev. Yakubu Pam has condemned the recent Fulani herders attack on the Bassa natives of Irigwe in the Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

    In a meeting with Irigwe and Fulani leaders which was held at the Police officers Mess in Jos, Plateau State yesterday Rev. Pam condemned the attack on the people of Bassa and pleaded with the residents to embrace peace and shun acts of violence.

    He said he would rather love to speak about the growth and development of Plateau.
    He noted that since the Plateau State crisis started in 2001 he has parleyed with government to work tirelessly to restore peace back to the state.

    He said that the battle being futile but a circle of revenge as no party has been crowned a winner.

    He added that the attacks has now shifted to the Local governments at the outskirts of the State, but the recent meetings with the Farmers, Herders and Traditional Leaders in the local governments has helped to reduce the attacks.

    Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, CP Edward Chuka also decried the attack on the people of Bassa yesterday, despite meetings and discussions with the stakeholders of the local governments and Fulani leaders and their promise to live in peace.

    He also said innocent lives going about there daily activities are always victims of this attacks.

    He stressed that the only way to resolve conflict is through dialogue between both parties, because people are different hence the need to find a common ground, and pleaded that the dialogue should be sincere without an ulterior motive.

    He promised not to relent in his pursuit to fish out the criminals perpetuating these acts and also bring them to book.

  • Farmer Dies In Ibadan After Fulani Herdsmen Set His Cashew Farm Ablaze

    Farmer Dies In Ibadan After Fulani Herdsmen Set His Cashew Farm Ablaze

    An Igangan-based farmer, Alfa Sikiru Akinlotan, from Gbogi Compound, Isale Akao Area, Igangan, Ibarapa North Local Government, died on his farm on Wednesday after Fulani herdsmen set his cashew and cocoa farm ablaze. He died while trying to quench the fire on his farm.The commandant of Amotekun in the state, Col. Olayinka Olayanju, confirmed the incident in Ibadan on Wednesday night.Olayanju said; “Alfa Sikiru Akinlotan from Gbogi Compound, Isale Akao area, Igangan, Ibarapa North Local Government, died inside his farm at Itigbo, Apodun Road, Igangan, on Wednesday, February 10, 2021.”It happened that his cocoa and cashew farm was set ablaze. He met his untimely death while he was trying to quench the fire. Hee was never attacked by any Fulani nor any other person.”Though Olayinka could not establish who set the farm ablaze in his statement, a source in Igangan told SaharaReporters that it was done by the Fulani herdsmen who are hellbent on destroying Yoruba farmers’ properties.The source said, “Can fire destroy a farm without somebody setting it ablaze? This is one of the reasons behind the notice to quit Yorubaland.”If Wakili and his men are still operating in Ayete, Igangan and Tapa axis, we cannot sleep with our two eyes closed. Don’t forget a similar thing happened in Ayete recently when the farm of Odomofin, Baba Saubana, was set ablaze. All their cashew farms were destroyed.”
  • Exposed! Fulani are the one killing us not Bandits – Adara S/Kaduna

    Exposed! Fulani are the one killing us not Bandits – Adara S/Kaduna

    …We know the reason why they’re killing us
    …Say’s El-Rufai canvass for supposedly ‘victim’ Fulani herdsmen interests, rights, privileges nationwide.

    By Gabriel Udeh, kaduna

    Surviving victims of Adara tribes in Adara community in Kaduna and Niger states have revealed that all the incidents of attacks and killings perpetrated against their people were done by armed Fulani militia and not bandits as continuously portrayed and projected by the Nigeria media.

    They also lamented that the preventable security challenges are deliberate efforts to inflict terror; deprivation; impoverishment; social, religious and economic destabilization and displacement of indigenous populations to bring about demographic restructuring.

    “These are to ultimately pave the way for full Fulani elite imperialist hegemony being surreptitiously orchestrated by government.

    This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Kaduna by the National President of Adara Development Association (ADA), Mr. Awemi Dio Maisamari.

    The statement made available to our Correspondent further stressed that “For several weeks now, Adara communities in Kaduna state as well as those in Niger State have continued to suffer severe violence in the hands of armed Fulani militia, who the press has chosen to window dress as ‘bandits’ and ‘kidnappers.’

    “For the records, between October and December 2020, kidnappings sometimes accompanied by killings had become a weekly and sometimes a daily activity. Within this period, 44 persons were abducted from these communities and tens of millions of Naira paid in ransom while six persons were killed”, it stated.

    ADA state that “From January 2021 to date, there has been a further escalation. The biggest attack was on 24th January when the terrorists sacked 9 villages and killed two persons in Adara and Gbagyi communities of Paikoro and Munya LGAs of Niger state.

    “The displaced persons lost all their belongings and are now squatting with relations in the absence of any government relief, sympathy or mere solidarity visits”, it added

    The release added that in the Kaduna State axis, reported security breaches in January alone total up to 17 persons kidnapped, with millions of Naira paid in ransom and three persons killed, excluded mass highway abductions of commuters in the area.

    “In the latest incident, the terrorists descended again on the peaceful Adara Village of Kujeni in Kajuru LGA on Saturday 6/2/2021, burnt down all houses and killed five persons in a senseless orgy of unprovoked violence. “Consequently, the above settlements have joined the infamous long list of displaced and or occupied villages”, it stated.

    The modes of operations of the invaders, ADA noted “are becoming more open, undisguised and more confident because it is clear even to government that the killers are on top of their game.

    “In all these incidences and many others, surviving victims affirm that the perpetrators are Fulani. And at last, Governor El-rufai and others have belatedly owned up to this worn-out truth. Therefore, the pertinent questions are no longer who or how but why?

    “We shall therefore boldly say it for the umpteenth time that these preventable security challenges are deliberate efforts to inflict terror; deprivation; impoverishment; social, religious and economic destabilization and displacement of indigenous populations to bring about demographic restructuring.”

    Theses are to ultimately pave the way for full Fulani elite imperialist hegemony being surreptitiously orchestrated by government.

    “We are just waiting for the inevitable implosion that is being triggered by numerous government acts of commission and omission intended to culminate in the suspected climax.

    “That is why weeks, months, and years are painfully but sluggishly passing by without any genuine and decisive action by our Local, State and Federal governments to end this lawlessness and chaos. “All we see and hear are occasional and puerile ritual statements that follow some of the dastardly terrorist acts. “Meanwhile, government security agents take pleasure in shows of strength on peaceful, helpless, traumatized and panicking citizens.

    “The sight of lawless gun trotting Fulani teenagers has now become the new normal in Kaduna and other states. Peasant farmers can only teal their farms or harvest their crops at the pleasure of Fulani occupiers.

    “We sadly wish to note another weird peculiarity of, most especially the Kaduna State Government. “The February 3rd statement by Governor El-rufai is a classic example. “He is now wailing loudly for the alleged wrongs supposedly being suffered in southern Nigeria by Fulani.

    “According to the governor, the alleged wrongs include attacks, massacres, destruction of properties, violent eviction or displacement of law-abiding citizens, denial of their rights to life, liberty, peace, livelihoods wherever they choose to reside and peaceful resolution of issues.

    “But this is the height of dishonesty, hypocrisy and double standards because Fulani terrorists have been wrecking much more havoc on other ethnicities under his watch.

    “In all this time, the standard response of “His Excellency” has always been to sermonize, berate and even threaten the non-Fulani victims to live in peace with their tormentors.

    “Therefore, why did Mr. Governor suddenly discover persuasive statesmanship and sensitivity to the very atrocities that have become the hallmark of his administration?

    “It is simply because in this case, his chosen people are not in a position of strength. His claim that his government has resisted the attempt to tag all members of any ethnicity is untrue.

    “The entire Adara community in particular and Southern Kaduna in general are practical examples of communities that have been earmarked for humiliation and dispossession.

    “Governor El-rufai’s statement gives the impression that the primary mandate of his government is to canvass for supposedly ‘victim’ Fulani herdsmen interests, rights and privileges nationwide.

    “By continuing to do so overzealously, exclusively and at the expense of justice, equity and fairness, he has created the dreaded El-rufai nightmare, the worst in the history of Kaduna State.

    “In conclusion, any honest observer will agree with me that the Governor has been consistently inconsistent in his policies, attitudes, actions, inactions and pronouncements in relation to preferred and less preferred citizens in our state and Nigeria at large. “Therefore, the Governor must remedy this mortal flaw by practically showing that “What is good for the goose is also good for the gander” Failing to do so, the commendation due to him for any good works done will be certainly denied him for dubiously turning governance into a “zero sum” game in which the negative completely cancels out the positive”, ADA lamented.

  • Fulani Herdsman Entered Soyinka’s Compound To Search For Missing Cow- police

    Fulani Herdsman Entered Soyinka’s Compound To Search For Missing Cow- police

    The Police in Ogun State have reacted to a viral video claiming that Fulani herdsmen had invaded Professor Wole Soyinka’s house in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

    In an attempt to set the record straight, the police said a young Fulani man, Awalu Muhammad, whose cow had got missing entered Soyinka’s vicinity in search of the animal.

    “While the Fulani man was searching for the stray cow around Kemta estate where Prof Wole soyinka’s house is located, the Prof. himself, who was going out then saw the Fulani man with some of the cows and he came down to ask where the man was heading to with the cows. He there and then asked the fulani man to move the cattle away from the vicinity,” the police spokesman in Ogun, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said in a statement.

    Oyeyemi said the DPO of Kemta division, who heard about the incident quickly moved to the scene with his patrol team.

    It was said that the entire place was inspected by the DPO and it was established that it was just a case of stray cow, saying that nothing was damaged or tampered with.

    “It was therefore a thing of surprise to see a video trending on social media that the respected Professor Wole soyinka’s house was invaded by Fulani herdersmen with the view to attack or kill him.

    “The video is nothing but a calculated attempt by mischief makers to cause panic in the mind of people. There is nothing like invasion of Prof Wole soyinka’s house or any form of attack on his person,” he said.

  • Seven to eight kidnappers out of ten arrested are Fulanis, but not every Fulani is a criminal – Sultan of Sokoto

    Seven to eight kidnappers out of ten arrested are Fulanis, but not every Fulani is a criminal – Sultan of Sokoto

    Sultan of Sokoto, HRH Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has said seven to eight out of every ten kidnappers arrested in Nigeria are Fulani.

    However, the monarch said that it was wrong to label all Fulani criminals or use ‘Fulanis herdsmen criminal’ to explain developments because of the misdeeds of some of them.

    He said, “I am a Fulani, and I am not a bad man. I am also not a criminal. Those engaged in one forms of crimes or another are across the country. It is not proper to refer to any tribe to describe individuals’ crime.

    “For example, when they collected N10m, where and how do you spend this amount in the bush? The money is back in the city. I have told the Inspector General of police to check this; we are not saying Fulanis are not part of the kidnappings as mentioned by the Secretary of Miyetti Allah, seven to eight kidnappers arrested are Fulanis, but that doesn’t mean ever Fulani is a criminal, no they are not.

    “We must put hands together to bring an end to this problem. We are going to approach the President to talk to our West African neighbours where we have Fulanis like Senegal, Niger Republic Guinea and Mali, to help us because most of these bandit cross from neighbouring countries conducted their criminal act and run back.”

    The meeting comes in the wake of tensions, especially across the South-West states which many have attributed to criminal Fulani herdsmen.

    A Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho, had given Fulanis in the Ibarapa axis of Oyo State an ultimatum to leave following allegations of criminality.

    Videos shared on social media showed Igboho holding a well-attended rally where he swore to drive out Fulani herdsmen from the entire Yorubaland for causing insecurity and banditry.

    Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State also issued a quit notice to all herdsmen to vacate government reserve forests in the state.