The Kautal Pulaaku Fulbe Association, a Fulani organization, responded to a directive from Plateau State Governor Barr. Caleb Mutfwang ordered security forces to shoot anyone they saw destroying farmland anywhere in the state.
During a security meeting on Tuesday, Mutfwang instructed security personnel not to spare any criminal element, particularly those who invade farming communities, killing people and destroying their means of subsistence.
However, the Fulani group said in a statement on Wednesday morning signed by its National President, Dr. Muh’d Hussaini Buzaye, that the governor’s order was drastic and ought to be revoked right away since it could worsen the state’s already dire situation.
Bazuye claimed that the Plateau State government’s lack of concern for the lives of Fulani people in the state was demonstrated by the order for security personnel to shoot every agricultural destroyer while keeping quiet about ethnic militias that attack, kill, and poison herders’ cattle.
Buzaye urged Gov. Mutfwang to overturn the decision in the statement, calling on him to make sure that all security directives and enforcement actions in the state are implemented with rigorous fairness, justice, and equal treatment for all communities without any kind of bias or discrimination.
According to him, the association’s request is a response to the governor’s recent directives for security agents to act decisively against anyone caught harming farmlands.
The Kautal Pulaaku Fulbe Association recognizes the need of safeguarding agricultural livelihoods and guaranteeing food security, but it also demands fairness and uniformity in the execution of any executive order, which must continue to be crucial in the implementation of any security strategy, he stated.
The association claims that if such severe penalties were to be applied to individuals who ruin farmlands, then any other criminal conduct that still poses a threat to the state’s peace and stability would also need to be dealt with equally and comparably.
According to the statement, “these include acts of violence that undermine public safety and order, such as cattle rustling, livestock poisoning, illegal road blockages, attacks on innocent citizens, and destruction of military checkpoints.”
The group also expressed grave worries about the ongoing deaths and property losses that its members experience, claiming that many herders are frequently attacked and killed while performing their regular tasks of raising cattle. Cattle rustling is still a significant problem, with many livestock being stolen, killed, or forcibly removed, according to the report, which characterizes the situation as a very concerning and persistent security issue.
“These incidents frequently happen while our members are traveling or engaging in their lawful livelihood activities, making the issue an urgent humanitarian and security concern.”
The group stresses that the Plateau State administration and security services must take prompt, decisive action to address these issues. The state government’s and security services’ persistent inaction could exacerbate tensions and increase mistrust in the impacted communities.
Gov. Mutfwang’s edict seems to primarily target farmers and those engaged in conflicts pertaining to farmland, raising concerns about what they perceived as a lack of equal emphasis on solving the equally critical difficulties faced by herders.
What steps are being taken to protect herders, particularly when attacks, cattle rustling, and fatalities occur? For there to be long-lasting peace, justice must be administered equally to all parties.
The growing prevalence of hate speech, tribal instigation, and divisive rhetoric within communities is another issue that worries the Kautal Pulaaku Fulbe Association. Tension and mistrust between various factions in the state are greatly exacerbated by such behavior. Regardless of affiliation or background, we today demand equal accountability for anyone caught doing such atrocities.
The statement concluded, “The Kautal Pulaaku Fulbe Association reaffirms its commitment to peaceful coexistence and calls on all stakeholders in Plateau State to work collectively with government and security agencies in addressing insecurity, restoring trust, and strengthening unity across all communities in the state and Nigeria at large.”
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