Amid rising bandit attacks across several communities in Kwara State, the Serikin Fulani of Kwara State, Adam Abdullahi has called on both the Federal Government and the Kwara State Government to consider recruiting Fulani indigenes into the Forest Guard system to strengthen efforts against terrorists.
Abdullahi made the call over the weekend during an interactive session with journalists at his palace in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
This followed an emergency meeting with Fulani leaders from the South-Western states.
According to the Serikin Fulani, 90 percent of Fulani people are law-abiding citizens despite widespread misconceptions.
While acknowledging the importance of education, he emphasized that combating terrorism requires extraordinary dedication, especially from the recently recruited 1,000 Forest Guards by the Kwara State Government.
He therefore advocated the inclusion of experienced local hunters and qualified Fulani indigenes to complement ongoing security efforts.
Abdullahi commended security agencies for their ongoing efforts but noted that stronger collaboration with local hunters and forest guards would further enhance operations.
He revealed that members of the Fulani community have also fallen victim to kidnappings, with ransom demands reportedly reaching as high as sixty million naira.
He appealed to governments at all levels to support the establishment of cattle ranches to help Fulani herders manage their livestock, especially in the midst of growing opposition to open grazing and increasing urbanization, which has significantly reduced available grazing land.
The Kwara Fulani leader reiterated that Fulani people are peaceful and law-abiding, contrary to prevailing stereotypes.
He affirmed their readiness to partner government authorities to address the rising insecurity in the state.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
