Fulani leaders raise security concerns over Igboho’s ultimatum

The Fulani community in Oyo State has expressed concern over its safety following an ultimatum issued by Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, over a recent kidnapping incident in Igboho town.

Igboho, on Saturday, directed Fulani leaders in Igboho, Oorelope Local Government Area, to facilitate the release of residents allegedly abducted by kidnappers.

In a viral video recorded during a meeting with Fulani leaders and security officials at the palace of the traditional ruler of Igboholand, Oba Joel Olawuwo, Igboho gave a two-hour deadline for the release of the victims.

Speaking in Yoruba, he warned that failure to secure their freedom could trigger unrest in the community.

Igboho accused some Fulani residents of being involved in a series of kidnappings in the area, including the abduction of a pregnant woman, her sister and a child.

He alleged that those behind the crimes were known within the community and urged Fulani leaders to mobilise efforts to secure the victims’ release.

He warned that the community would be held accountable if anything happened to the victims.

A Fulani socio-cultural group, the Concerned Fulani People of Nigeria, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu, Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde and other south-west governors to intervene over comments reportedly made by Sunday Igboho.

The appeal was contained in a statement issued on Sunday and signed by the group’s convener, Ibrahim Barkindo Chubado.

Chubado said comments attributed to the activist and reports of possible confrontation could heighten tensions and undermine efforts aimed at maintaining peace and security.

The organisation said while it supports efforts to tackle insecurity and criminality across the country, it opposed what it described as the tendency to associate criminal acts with entire ethnic communities.

It maintained that criminal activities such as kidnapping, banditry and terrorism should be addressed through lawful investigation and prosecution of suspects rather than attributing responsibility to ethnic groups.

The group stated that Fulani communities across Nigeria consist largely of law-abiding citizens and warned that generalisations could deepen divisions and fuel mistrust.

It also referenced previous security-related crises in parts of Oyo State, alleging that some Fulani settlements suffered casualties, displacement and destruction of property during earlier conflicts.

According to the organisation, security responses and public discourse on criminal incidents should be guided by evidence and due process.

The statement further noted that criminal elements may exist across different communities but insisted that offenders should be treated as individuals responsible for their actions.

The group described farmer-herder disputes as longstanding socio-economic challenges that require dialogue and institutional solutions, rather than ethnic confrontation.

Igboho should be called to order – Evicted Seriki Fulani in Oyo

The Seriki Fulani of Oyo State, Alhaji Salihu Abdulkadir, who was evicted from Igangan in 2021, dismissed Igboho’s allegation that Fulani herders had taken over ancestral farmlands in parts of the South-West, describing the claim as false and misleading.

Speaking with Daily Trust, Abdulkadir recalled his eviction from Igangan about five years ago, saying the lack of action against Igboho had emboldened him.

“It is unfortunate that Sunday Igboho has continually targeted Fulani people without being called to order. He did it in Igangan, where our people were killed and properties destroyed, yet nothing happened. That is why he appears more emboldened today,” he said.

Abdulkadir maintained that Fulani communities had not taken over any ancestral lands, adding that many Fulani were also victims of insecurity and banditry.

He warned against portraying all Fulani as criminals, saying such generalisations were unfair and dangerous.

Past ultimatum by Igboho

This is not the first time Sunday Igboho has issued an ultimatum following violent attacks that resulted in deaths and destruction of property.

On January 16, 2021, he visited the residence of the Seriki Fulani of Igangan, Alhaji Saliu Abdulkadir, and issued a seven-day quit notice to him and other Fulani residents.

Igboho accused some Fulani elements of being responsible for the growing insecurity in the Ibarapa area of Oyo State.

Six days later, he returned to Igangan and was received by cheering residents as he inspected the town. Many Fulani residents, including the Seriki, had fled before his arrival.

The Seriki consistently denied involvement in the attacks, insisting that Fulani herders were also victims of violence in the area.

Later that month, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) raided Igboho’s residence in Soka, Ibadan.

The agency said it recovered several weapons, including AK-47 rifles and thousands of rounds of ammunition. Two of Igboho’s associates were killed during the operation, while a DSS operative was injured. Igboho denied ownership of the weapons, alleging they were planted to implicate him.

He was later arrested in Cotonou, Benin Republic, while reportedly attempting to travel to Germany, but regained his freedom in 2023 after a prolonged legal battle.