Oyo Kidnappings: Community Leaders Denounce Racial Stereotyping, Call for United Front Against Crime

Stakeholders in Oyo State are advocating for enhanced collaboration among security agencies, traditional institutions, farmers, herders, and local communities to effectively address kidnapping and other security challenges plaguing Nigeria, emphasizing the need for collective action to tackle these issues.

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They also cautioned against ethnic profiling of Fulani people for crimes committed by individuals, underscoring the importance of distinguishing between law-abiding citizens and criminals to prevent unfair generalizations.

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A high-level security meeting was held in Oyo State on Wednesday to discuss the abduction of teachers and students in Oriire Local Government Area, bringing together Fulani leaders, security agencies, farmers, traditional rulers, and community representatives to explore ways to strengthen peaceful coexistence.

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The meeting resulted in a resolution to work collectively towards sustaining peace, improving intelligence sharing, and strengthening cooperation between communities and security agencies, marking a significant step towards addressing rising insecurity and kidnapping.

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Ibrahim Jiji, Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in maintaining peace, noting that government efforts alone are insufficient to guarantee safety without active citizen participation.

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Jiji expressed concern over the tendency to associate criminal activities with the entire Fulani community, highlighting the sufferings of many innocent Fulani people who have faced discrimination due to the actions of a few individuals involved in crime.

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He emphasized that criminality should be treated as an individual responsibility rather than an ethnic issue, stating "We are not criminals, we are not kidnappers, and if we have a Fulani who is a criminal, we will not hide him."

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The National President of MACBAN, Alhaji Baba Othman Ngelzarma, commended the peaceful relationship between Fulani communities and their host communities in Oyo State, describing it as a model for other parts of the country.

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Ngelzarma expressed concern over the decline in social cohesion in some areas, where ethnic and communal tensions have created divisions, and urged wealthy Fulani community members to support vulnerable members of society.

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Representing the Chairman of Oyo West Local Government Area, Muyideen Adeyemi, noted that relations between Yoruba residents and Fulani communities in the council area remain cordial, attributing this to ongoing efforts to improve security and peaceful coexistence.

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Adeyemi stressed the need for greater involvement of traditional rulers, recognizing their critical role in communicating government policies and security messages to residents, particularly in rural areas.

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Alhaji Oladeji Emmanuel, representing the Oyo State Farmers’ Council, argued that farmers and Fulani herders should not be seen as enemies, as most disputes between them are driven by economic interests rather than inherent animosity.

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Emmanuel called for improved communication among farmers, herders, traditional rulers, and local authorities to prevent conflicts, highlighting the importance of dialogue in addressing issues between the two groups.

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CSP Mojid Lawal, speaking on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, commended the Fulani leadership for organizing the meeting, describing it as consistent with the community policing strategy of the Nigeria Police Force.

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Lawal supported increased involvement of traditional rulers in peace efforts, acknowledging their influence in passing security messages to rural communities and addressing concerns over the growing tendency to blame all criminal activities on Fulani people.

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A representative of the Department of State Services (DSS) praised Oyo West Local Government for its regular community engagement initiatives, which have improved communication between residents and authorities, and urged the Sarki Fulani of Oyo State to participate actively in such engagements.

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The representative of the Amotekun Corps called for efforts to address the underlying causes of farmer-herder conflicts, urging Fulani leaders to increase security awareness among their members and emphasizing that Fulani people should not be collectively labelled criminals due to the actions of a few individuals.

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Farooq Gajo, speaking on behalf of the Sarki Fulani of Lagos and Chairman of the Council of Fulani Chiefs in the South-West, commended Fulani leaders in Oyo State and security agencies for their commitment to peace, stating that criminality has no ethnic or religious identity.

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Gajo noted that some Fulani people remain hesitant to report crimes to security agencies due to fears of discrimination and unfair treatment, urging all stakeholders to build trust and ensure equal protection for every citizen regardless of ethnic background.