A socio-cultural group, Fulbe Global Development and Rights Initiative (FGDRI) has called on the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar to intervene and end the lingering crisis between the Fulani and Hausa in Nigeria.
The group bemoaned constant clashes between the Fulani and Hausa in Northern Nigeria and distanced itself from banditry and other criminal elements linked to its kinsmen.
Its president-general, Dr Salim Musa Umar, who made the appeal at the Fulbe Global Development and Rights Initiative annual general meeting at the weekend, said the Fulanis were being profiled and linked to criminal activities in Nigeria in order to be maimed without recourse.
He said the Fulani currently faces existential threat and called on all to rise and avert the impending “genocide” against the race.
Umar said over 156 Fulani and 7,000 cattle have been killed in the first quarter of 2024 mostly in Plateau, Kaduna, Zamfara, Taraba and Niger states, respectively.
He said, “The Fulani anywhere in this country and many other countries have become an easy prey and likely to be linked, compared or attached to all forms of vices.
“The narrative that is being sold in Nigeria trying to pit the Hausa against the Fulani is not something we can fold our hands and watch. A Hausa killing a Fulani and a Fulani killing a Hausa is such a big challenge. All of them are Muslims in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and other states in Northern Nigeria and our revered fathers are keeping quiet. It’s high time we set a committee that will take us to the Sultan to take leadership seriously and settle the Fulani and Hausa feud. As a race, we are facing existential threat. If a Fulani is not safe in Sokoto State, I don’t know where he will be safe in this country,” he said.
Umar, however, admitted that miscreants among the Fulani race were committing crimes.
“The criminals among us are not representing us, they are not our ambassadors, we didn’t ask them to go into banditry or kidnapping on our behalf, they are criminals and must be identified as that. They are not representing Fulbe, so no Fulbe should be tagged because some of his brothers are involved in kidnapping and banditry.
“Over time, our people have been subjected to pressure most of which are orchestrated by some evil personalities hence, our responsibility to address the challenges become difficult and seemingly impossible sometimes.
“However, it is possible if we can come together with the strongest of determination to say enough is enough, I believe we can do it,” he said.
He disclosed that the National Human Rights Commission is investigating the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) over the killing of herders in Nasarawa State.
On the Benue State Anti-Open Grazing Law, he said the group lost its case at the state High Court in Makurdi but had appealed against the judgement.
Earlier, the chairman of the occasion, Malam Isah Yuguda, said the Fulbe had a traumatising experience and must respond effectively to secure the future of their next generation.
The dethroned Emir of Kano Sanusi Lamido Sanusi said the Fulani like the Jews were being set up for global genocide.
He called on relevant stakeholders to commence community engagement to change the narrative surrounding the stigmatisation of the Fulani race.
In his goodwill message, the Sarkin Fulani of Niger State, Dr Rabiu Bello decried cases of cattle rustling, harassment and extortion by security agents at checkpoints.