Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State has called on Fulani community leaders to work closely with security agencies to identify and expose criminal elements operating within their communities, warning that continued silence over kidnappings and banditry is fueling public anger and mistrust.
Speaking in Hausa in a viral video, the governor urged Fulani leaders to persuade those engaged in criminal activities to abandon violence and return home, stressing that innocent members of the community were increasingly bearing the consequences of the actions of a few.
“My relatives, I will not be afraid of you; I had better tell you this. Whoever gets kidnapped in the bush and is later released will say it was Fulanis who kidnapped him,” Bago said.
“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 kidnapped and made to pay ransom without expecting them to be angry with you.
“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.”
The governor said public frustration over worsening insecurity was growing because some members of the community allegedly failed to report the activities of armed groups, including those entering Niger State from neighbouring Zamfara State.
He urged Fulani leaders to publicly distance themselves from criminal elements and report them to security agencies instead of shielding them.
Bago also issued a directive to farmers, warning against cultivating crops along government roads and electricity corridors.
“Between the main government road and the power poles, where no farmer is supposed to plant, I have given an order that if any farmer plants between the main road and the power poles, you should let the animals eat the crops and arrest the farmer,” he said.
“You have your own designated land, planting close to the main road only shows you are looking for trouble.”
The governor further cautioned vigilante groups against exceeding their mandate, urging them to concentrate on protecting border communities and supporting security agencies rather than taking the law into their own hands.
He also charged traditional rulers to regulate religious preaching within their domains, warning that sermons capable of creating division among residents would not be tolerated.
Bago directed that anyone using religious platforms to sow discord between Muslims or incite hostility between Muslims and Christians should be arrested and prosecuted.
“Also, this Emirate should set boundaries for our preachers,” he said.
“Lakurawa come and create trouble among you in the name of preaching, but they are just lying. When they were born, it was Salatul Fatih that was practiced.
“Shehu Usman Danfodio is the man who laid the foundation for Islam here, yet they are against him. Which books have they read, and where did they study?
“Even if they come to the Jum’at mosque to preach, arrest them. His Royal Highness, I give permission, 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 come amid ongoing efforts by the Niger State Government and security agencies to curb banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes that have affected parts of the state and neighbouring regions.
