Fresh Rift: Fulani group challenges Igboho’s Oyo ultimatum

A Fulani socio-cultural group, the Concerned Fulani People of Nigeria, has called on President Bola Tinubu and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to caution Yoruba nation activist Sunday Adeyemo (Sunday Igboho) over comments it described as inflammatory against Fulani communities in Oyo State.

The group’s Convener, Ibrahim Barkindo Chubado, made the appeal in a statement on Sunday.

The call followed reports that Igboho gave Fulani leaders in Oyo State a two-hour ultimatum over the alleged kidnapping of a woman and her children.

According to the reports, Igboho threatened to go after those responsible if the victims were not released within the time limit. He also reportedly vowed to enter a forest reserve believed to be used as a hideout by kidnappers.

Reacting to the development, Chubado warned against blaming an entire ethnic group for crimes allegedly committed by a few individuals. He said such actions could increase ethnic tension and threaten peace and security.

The group stressed that Fulani people do not support terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, or any other criminal activity. It said criminals should be treated as individuals and not linked to a whole ethnic group.

The statement added that many Fulani people across Nigeria are law-abiding citizens who should not be blamed for the actions of criminal elements.

The group also expressed concern over what it described as a growing trend of associating Fulani communities with criminal activities without enough evidence, warning that such generalisations could lead to hostility and violence.

Chubado said:

“We are not saying there are no bad people among the Fulani, Hausa, or other Northern ethnic groups. However, criminals should be treated as criminals and not judged based on their ethnicity or religion. We are calling on the authorities to caution Igboho.”