Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago has called on Fulani community leaders to collaborate with security agencies in exposing criminals hiding among them, warning that their silence over kidnappings and banditry is fueling public anger.
In a viral video, Bago urged the leaders to convince those involved in crime to surrender and return home.
"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," he said.
"Warn your children who are in the bush to return so we can live peacefully. People cannot be kidnapped and forced to pay ransom without being angry with you."
He added that frustration with Fulanis has grown because some community members allegedly fail to report armed men, even those crossing from neighbouring Zamfara State.
"No one is stopping you from grazing, going to school, or living peacefully, yet you know your children are doing bad things. Even if they are not caught, you will eventually face the consequences."
The governor also warned farmers against planting along government roads, saying such crops should be left for animals and the farmers arrested.
He cautioned vigilante groups against taking the law into their own hands and ordered traditional rulers to regulate religious preaching. Anyone using sermons to divide Muslims or 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," Bago said.
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