Call Sunday Igboho to order, Fulani organisation tells Tinubu, Makinde

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A Fulani socio-cultural organisation, the Concerned Fulani People of Nigeria, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, and other South-West governors to caution Yoruba nation agitator Sunday Adeyemo (Sunday Igboho) over what it described as inflammatory remarks directed at Fulani communities in Oyo State.

The group’s reaction followed reports that Igboho issued a two-hour ultimatum to Fulani leaders in Oyo State over the alleged abduction of a woman, her children and a sibling by suspected kidnappers.

According to reports, Igboho threatened to confront those 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.

In a statement signed by its Convener, Ibrahim Barkindo Chubado, the organisation warned against profiling Fulani communities for crimes allegedly committed by individuals, saying such actions could worsen ethnic tensions and undermine efforts aimed at promoting peace and security.

The group maintained that Fulani people are strongly opposed to kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and other criminal activities, stressing that criminal acts should not be attributed to an entire ethnic group.

According to the organisation, Fulani communities across Nigeria are made up of law-abiding citizens who should not be collectively blamed for the actions of a few criminal elements.

It expressed concern over what it described as the recurring association of Fulani communities with criminality without sufficient evidence, warning that such narratives could fuel hostility and violence.

The group further alleged that previous attacks on Fulani settlements in parts of Oyo State resulted in loss of lives, destruction of property and the displacement of women, children and other residents.

It also referenced past crises in the Ibarapa and Iganna areas of the state, claiming that innocent Fulani residents suffered casualties during the conflicts.

While acknowledging that criminal elements exist in every ethnic group, the organisation argued that offenders should be treated as individuals responsible for crimes rather than as representatives of their ethnic or religious communities.

“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,” the statement noted.



The group also described farmer-herder conflicts as largely economic disputes that should not be transformed into ethnic or religious confrontations.

It warned that inflammatory rhetoric and ethnic profiling could aggravate insecurity and threaten national unity if not properly managed.

Consequently, the organisation urged President Tinubu, Governor Makinde and other South-West governors to take proactive measures to de-escalate tensions and encourage peaceful coexistence among all ethnic groups.

It further called on Nigerians to support security agencies in tackling kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities through lawful means while avoiding ethnic and religious generalisations.