Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago has urged Fulani community leaders to work with security agencies to identify and expose criminals hiding within their communities, warning that continued kidnappings and banditry are fueling public anger against the ethnic group.
Speaking in Hausa in a viral video, the governor appealed to Fulani leaders to convince those involved in criminal activities to abandon crime and return home, saying innocent members of the community are increasingly being blamed for the actions of a few.
He said, “My relatives, I will not be afraid of you; I had better tell you this. Whoever gets k+dnapped in the bush and is later released will say it was Fulanis who k+dnapped him.”
Bago continued, “So, you should warn your children who are in the bush to return so that we can live peacefully. There is no way people can be k+dnapped and made to pay ransom without expecting them to be angry with you.”
The governor said public frustration has continued to grow because many victims of kidnapping often accuse Fulani criminals of carrying out the attacks.
According to him, “People are angry with Fulanis. No one is stopping you from grazing, going to school, or staying peacefully, yet you know your children are doing bad things to people. Even if they are not caught, you will eventually face the consequences.”
Bago also alleged that some community members fail to report armed men, including those entering Niger State from neighbouring Zamfara State, urging leaders to stop shielding criminals and instead cooperate with security agencies.
The governor further warned farmers against cultivating crops along government roads.
He said, “Between the main government road and the power poles, if any farmer plants between the main road and the power poles, you should let the animals eat the crops and arrest the farmer.”
Addressing religious leaders and vigilante groups, Bago cautioned against taking the law into their own hands and directed traditional rulers to monitor sermons capable of inciting division.
He stated, “Even if they come to the Jum’at mosque to preach, arrest them, whoever preaches to divide Muslims, or to divide Muslims and Christians, should be arrested, and we will take them to prison.”
The governor’s remarks have since generated widespread discussion, particularly his call for Fulani leaders to help identify criminal elements within their communities as part of efforts to tackle insecurity in the state.
