The Concerned Fulani People of Nigeria (CFPN) has called on Fulani pastoralists across the South-West to continue cooperating with security agencies and host communities in efforts to strengthen security and maintain peaceful coexistence in the region.
The appeal was made in a statement issued on Tuesday in Kaduna by the group’s Convener, Ibrahim Chubado, while reacting to recent discussions surrounding security concerns in parts of Oyo State.
According to Chubado, herders engaged in legitimate livestock activities should remain law-abiding and support ongoing government efforts by providing useful information that could help expose criminal elements operating within rural communities and grazing areas.
He stressed that security challenges in parts of the South-West should not be used as a basis for profiling or stigmatizing peaceful Fulani residents, insisting that criminal activities must be addressed without ethnic or religious bias.
The CFPN leader also welcomed recent remarks by Yoruba Nation agitator Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, describing them as a positive step towards promoting understanding and peaceful coexistence among different communities.
According to him, the clarification would help ease tensions and encourage constructive engagement between pastoralists and their host communities.
“We appreciate the understanding shown by our host communities, particularly in Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun areas of Oyo State. We remain committed to contributing to the protection of lives and property and will continue to support lawful measures aimed at improving security,” Chubado said.
He noted that Fulani pastoralists have consistently collaborated with security agencies through intelligence sharing and other forms of cooperation aimed at combating kidnapping, cattle rustling and related crimes.
Chubado further stated that disputes arising from farmer-herder activities have often been resolved through dialogue and existing conflict-resolution mechanisms.
The group also appealed to government authorities, traditional rulers, youth groups and other stakeholders to ensure the protection of pastoral communities, noting that herders are equally victims of insecurity in many parts of the country.
According to him, incidents such as cattle rustling, armed attacks and other criminal activities have negatively affected pastoral communities and their livelihoods.
He maintained that peaceful Fulani residents remain committed to lawful economic activities and have no intention of disrupting the peace of their host communities.
The convener emphasized that criminality should be treated as an individual act rather than being linked to ethnicity, religion or cultural identity.
He called on Nigerians to support security agencies in their efforts to tackle insecurity while rejecting narratives capable of promoting division, suspicion and mistrust among different ethnic groups.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful coexistence, mutual respect and continued engagement with communities across the South-West and other parts of Nigeria.
