INSECURITY: NORTHERN CONSENSUS MOVEMENT MEETS WITH FULANI LEADERS FROM 19 NORTHERN STATES, FCT 

“Fulani leaders expressed their ugly experiences in the hands of unscrupulous security agencies over unfounded allegations of being branded as kidnappers or bandits for the simple reason that they are Fulani by tribe as criminals perpetrating these criminal activities.

“This generalization by some Nigerians against the innocent Fulanis has brought untold hardship and stigmatization on the Fulani people.

Their security and wellbeing as Nigerians are being threatened, as government at all levels have abandoned them.

“The NCM  however assured the Fulani leaders that it was because of its concern with the insecurity issues bedeviling the Northern states and Nigeria as a whole that the meeting was convened to hear the grievances of the Fulani and chart a way forward on how the security challenges could be tackled.

“It noted that the underlying causes of insecurities differ from one geopolitical zone to another, hence the need to frankly discuss the issue and advice governments at all levels  to consciously develop appropriate measures to contain the situation.

“The meeting noted in particular the crude implementation of the Anti grazing laws by the Benue State Government officials where cows are illegally arrested even in a secured colony and the owners are made to pay double fees to the State without any official receipts.

These sharp practices by the State government officials have continued to make life unbearable to the Fulanis that have lived in Benue for over 300 years ago.

“The Meeting therefore calls upon Federal Government to take political measures that will restore normalcy, peaceful coexistence and harmony among the Fulani and their host communities in the all the Northern States in order to assuage the fears of the Fulani people.

“The  bandits activities have been most cruel and devastating to the socioeconomic and political life of the Fulani people more than any other tribes in Nigeria.

“The meeting notes with concern the incessant communal clash between some ethnic groups and Fulani settlements in some States and condemns such heinous crimes.

It calls on the Security agencies to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to justice to serve as deterrent to others.

” It also appeal to the fulani communities to avoid using reprisal attacks as a way of addressing grievances since such reprisals make victims of those who know nothing about the feuds.

“It therefore, appeals to Fulani leaders to always adhere to the traditional due process in addressing such grievances among the various communities.

“The meeting agreed  that in order to arrest the insecurity issues bedevilling the North especially as it involves the Fulani people who are usually normads, governments at all levels must ensure deliberate policy and programs that will protect them from unnecessary intimidation by State officials in the pursuit of their legitimate livelihood, while at the same time take them into confidence to fish out the bad eggs amongst them.

“The meeting commends the efforts of the military and other security agencies in the fight against insurgency and other criminal activities being perpetrated by bandits, kidnappers and separatist groups, it however appeals to the Federal Government to do more by recruiting more security personnel, train and retrain them on the use of modern warfare equipment and  strategy to bring to an end this menace.

“The meeting also commended the NCM for bringing the Fulani leaders to discuss their plight and proffer solutions that will end the insecurity issues associated with the Fulani people.

“The meeting urged the NCM not to rest on its oars but to continue to forge ahead by holding regular interaction with different groups and Tribes to stem the tide of insecurity in the North.

“The Fulani leaders drew the attention of the meeting that Fulanis in Nigeria are the largest single tribe with a population of over 40million scattered all over the country, therefore as a major stakeholder in the Nigerian project, they would  do everything possible to see that Nigeria remains united as one indivisible country where each tribe is guaranteed freedom of association, movement and pursuit of legitimate livelihood in any part of country as provided in the Nigeria constitution.

“The meeting agreed that fulanis deserve compensation for loses incurred all over the country .

Awwal Abdullahi Aliyu President Northern Consensus Movement NCM.