A Fulani socio-cultural organisation, under the aegis of the Concerned Fulani People of Nigeria, has asked President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to call Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, to order over ‘inflammatory remarks’ against Fulani communities in Oyo State.
The group made the call in a statement by its Convener, Ibrahim Barkindo Chubado, on Sunday.
This came after reports that Igboho issued a two-hour ultimatum to Fulani leaders in Oyo State over the alleged abduction of a woman and her children.
Igboho allegedly threatened to confront those he believed were responsible if the victims were not released within the stipulated period and vowed to invade a forest reserve allegedly being used as a hideout by the kidnappers.
Reacting, Chubado warned that profiling Fulani communities for crimes allegedly committed by individuals could deepen ethnic tensions and undermine efforts to promote peace and security.
The group emphasized that Fulani people are opposed to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality, maintaining that criminal acts should not be attributed to an entire ethnic group.
It stated that Fulani communities across the country are made up of law-abiding citizens who should not be collectively blamed for the actions of criminal elements.
It expressed concern over what it described as a recurring tendency to associate Fulani communities with criminal activities without sufficient evidence, warning that such generalisations could fuel hostility and violence.
“We are not saying there are no bad eggs among Fulani, Hausa or other Northern ethnic groups.
“However, criminals should be treated as criminals and not profiled based on ethnicity or religion. We are calling on the authorities to call Igboho to order,” the statement said.
By Mathew Atungwu
