Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has called on Fulani community leaders to work with security agencies in identifying and exposing criminals hiding within their communities, warning that the growing wave of kidnappings and banditry is fuelling public resentment against the ethnic group.
Speaking in Hausa in a viral video, the governor urged the leaders to prevail on those involved in criminal activities to abandon violence and return home, stressing that continued silence over the activities of kidnappers only deepens public distrust.
“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.
He appealed to the community to take responsibility by discouraging young people from engaging in criminal activities.
“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,” the governor added.
Bago said many residents have become increasingly frustrated over the persistent insecurity, alleging that some community members fail to report armed groups, including those entering Niger State from neighbouring Zamfara State.
According to him, community leaders must stop shielding criminal elements and instead support efforts aimed at restoring peace and security.
“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,” he warned.
The governor also issued a directive to farmers, warning against cultivating crops along government roads.
“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,” he said.
Bago further cautioned vigilante groups against taking the law into their own hands and directed traditional rulers to monitor religious activities in their communities to prevent inflammatory preaching.
He warned that any cleric found using sermons to incite division among Muslims or between Muslims and Christians should be arrested and prosecuted.
“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 said.
The governor’s remarks come amid renewed efforts by the Niger State Government to tackle insecurity and strengthen collaboration between local communities and security agencies in the fight against kidnapping and banditry.
