Niger State Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago has urged the Fulani community to work with security agencies to combat insecurity, stating that the actions of armed criminals are harming the community’s reputation.
Addressing members of the community on July 18th in Minna, the governor stated, “Anyone who is kidnapped and later released will claim Fulani abducted them.
People will undoubtedly grow to dislike you as a result of this; tell your brothers in the trees to return and live quietly within civilisation; your brothers are murdering people, but no one has stopped you from grazing your cattle, farming, or living in peace. However, your brothers have gone out to commit atrocities against innocent people.
If they can’t be found, you will be held responsible.”
Governor Bago also blasted the failure to notify armed strangers working in Fulani areas, saying, “You see Fulani carrying guns, but you do not inform security agencies that these people are not our relatives and have come to cause unrest.” We’ve been living together for years, and this isn’t right. “It must stop.”
The governor also urged Islamic clerics involved in public disagreements to exercise caution and avoid sermons that could incite tension or violence.
He warned that the Niger State Government would take decisive action against any institution of worship found to be supporting provocative preaching.
“If this does not stop, the government will shut down any mosque found to be delivering sermons that incite the public,” he stated.
Governor Bago stated that the measures are intended to strengthen security and ensure peaceful coexistence among all communities in the state.