…Urges Tinubu to seal borders
A Fulani herdsman in Abuja has urged the Bola Tinubu administration to immediately halt the entry of foreign herders into Nigeria, warning that many of them smuggle weapons and fuel the violence often blamed on indigenous Fulani communities.
In a video which circulated on social media, the herdsman, who described himself as a native Fulani born and raised in Abuja, was seen saying most crimes attributed to “Fulani herdsmen” are carried out by foreign migrants exploiting Nigeria’s porous borders.
“Not every Fulani is the same. We don’t invite strangers to destroy the places where we live,” he said. “I grew up here. I speak Gbagyi. How will I now go and bring someone from another country to create problems where I stay?”
He accused security agencies of enabling the influx of armed foreigners. “Do we have borders or not? If Fulani from outside enters Nigeria, we can recognise them. So why are customs officers and soldiers allowing such people to enter?” he asked.
According to him, unchecked cross-border movements allow weapons from Libya, Chad, Niger and other conflict zones to pour into the country. He urged the federal government to urgently secure the borders to stem the flow of arms.
Beyond security, the herdsman advocated for structured education and integration programmes for Fulani children living in remote grazing areas, stressing that lack of schooling fuels marginalisation.
“You went to school and can speak to big people, but I know nothing. If you see me in the bush, you may think God didn’t bless me. How will you communicate with me?” he said.
He called for permanent grazing settlements equipped with schools, healthcare and access roads, insisting that such facilities would ease conflict and reduce constant displacements. He added that Fulani communities are willing to pay taxes if government provides regulated grazing areas and basic services.
The herdsman also criticised corruption among some Fulani leaders who, he said, misuse funds meant for their people. He appealed for leaders “with integrity” to manage community affairs.
Lamenting widespread stigma, he said Fulani people are increasingly treated as outsiders.
“In Nigeria today, everything is politics; there is no truth. They even condemn Fulani as if we are not Nigerians. May God help us”, he stated.
