A Fulani socio-cultural group, the Concerned Fulani People of Nigeria, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to intervene and caution Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo over what it described as inflammatory statements targeting Fulani communities in Oyo State.
The call was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the group’s convener, Ibrahim Barkindo Chubado.
The appeal follows reports that Igboho allegedly issued an ultimatum to Fulani leaders in the state over the reported abduction of a woman and her children, threatening to take action if the victims were not released within a short timeframe. He was also said to have vowed to storm a forest reserve believed to be used as a hideout by the kidnappers.
In response, the Fulani group warned that linking an entire ethnic group to the actions of criminal individuals could heighten ethnic tensions and undermine ongoing efforts to maintain peace and security.
It stressed that Fulani communities across Nigeria consist largely of law-abiding citizens and should not be collectively blamed for the crimes of a few individuals.
The organisation further expressed concern over what it described as repeated tendencies to associate Fulani people with criminal activities without adequate proof, cautioning that such generalisations could fuel resentment and conflict.
According to the statement, while acknowledging that criminal elements exist across all ethnic groups, it is important that offenders are identified and treated individually rather than being judged based on ethnicity or religion. The group therefore urged authorities to step in and restrain Igboho from further escalating tensions.
BACKSTORY…
Tensions surrounding security concerns in parts of Oyo State have continued to draw reactions from different ethnic and socio-cultural groups, particularly following recent reports of kidnapping incidents allegedly linked to forest hideouts in the region. These incidents have once again brought attention to long-standing fears over rural insecurity and the presence of criminal elements operating across state boundaries.
In response to the situation, local vigilance efforts and public commentary from various actors have increased, with some individuals issuing strong warnings and threats aimed at suspected perpetrators or their alleged networks. However, such reactions have also sparked concern among other groups who fear that the situation could escalate into ethnic profiling.
It is against this backdrop that the Concerned Fulani People of Nigeria issued a statement calling for restraint and caution in public discourse. The group argued that while criminal activities remain a serious challenge that must be addressed, it is important not to associate entire communities with the actions of a few individuals.
Their intervention reflects broader efforts by socio-cultural organisations to prevent rising insecurity from turning into ethnic mistrust or conflict. The group also urged political and security authorities to step in early in order to manage tensions and ensure that justice is pursued without inflaming divisions among different communities in the state.
