Miyetti Allah Demands Probe, Justice Over Alleged Genocide Against Fulani Pastoralists

By David Odama

The Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Fulani Socio-Cultural Association has called for a thorough investigation into the continued killing of Fulani pastoralists by what it described as “non-state actors” operating under the guise of vigilantes and Yansakai groups across the country.

The association said the probe was imperative and urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to constitute an investigative panel to identify those behind what it termed “genocide against Fulani pastoralists” and ensure justice for the victims’ families without delay.

In a communiqué jointly signed by its National President, Abdullahi Bello Bodejo, and National Secretary, Saleh Alhassan, and made available to journalists in Keffi, Nasarawa State, on Tuesday, the association said the document was the outcome of an expanded National Executive Meeting held to examine the challenges confronting Fulani herders in Nigeria.

The meeting had in attendance all state chairmen of the association and other key stakeholders.

According to the communiqué, members expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to livestock development, security, and the general welfare of pastoralist communities across the country.

The group also commended the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence for adopting both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies in addressing rural banditry, especially in the North-West.

The communiqué read in part:
“The meeting noted with dismay the continuous genocidal massacre of Fulani pastoralists by non-state actors in the name of vigilantes and Yansakai, and called on the Inspector General of Police to set up a high-powered panel to unmask those responsible for these heinous acts and ensure justice for the victims’ families to prevent people from resorting to self-help.”

It further commended the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development for initiating the process of designating, gazetting, and developing the 415 grazing reserves across the country — a move the association described as strategic to addressing herders’ challenges.

According to the statement, the plan includes the construction of earth dams and solar-powered boreholes, establishment of veterinary clinics, and creation of milk collection centres.

The meeting condemned the persistent profiling of Fulani pastoralists by sections of the media and called for fair, balanced, and justice-based reportage of farmers-herders conflicts.

It also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his continued support to the livestock sector and appealed for adequate funding of the newly established Ministry of Livestock Development to ensure full implementation of the National Livestock Development Plan.

The communiqué also emphasized the need for an overhaul of Nigeria’s security and justice systems to guarantee access to justice for pastoralists, noting that “many of our youths are languishing in detention centres without trial across the country.”

The association dismissed the notion that farmers-herders conflicts are the main cause of insecurity in Nigeria, insisting that the crises are worsened by activities of state-sponsored vigilantes and tribal militias who, it alleged, continue to carry out extra-judicial killings of Fulani pastoralists.