Governor Abdullahi Sule has appealed to the leaders of the Fulani community in Nasarawa State to use their internal vigilante, to fish out criminal elements giving the Fulani community a bad name.
Governor Sule made the appeal when he made a stopover on his way to Abuja, to meet with Alhaji Abdullahi Bello Bodejo, National President, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Fulani Sociocultural Association, at his residence in Tudun Wada, Karu Local Government Area, on Wednesday.
The Governor said it has become necessary for him to interface with the leadership of the Fulani community in the state with a view to seeking their support towards tackling insecurity across the state and country at large.
He pointed out that following information received from the Federal University of Lafia (FULAFIA), where armed gunmen kidnapped one student last Monday night, it has become necessary to call on the Fulani community to deploy its internal vigilante group to fish out criminal elements giving the community a bad name.
Governor Sule however commended the peaceful nature of the Fulani community in the state but blamed the criminal tendency on strangers invading the state to commit crime.
“Every time there is kidnapping, the incidence is mostly blamed on Fulani. That is why I deemed it necessary to stop here and speak to Fulani leaders on the need to ensure strangers do not come into our state to perpetrate criminal activities.
“The Fulani community in Nasarawa State is peace loving, as such we should do everything possible to ensure that strange elements do not come into our state to carry out criminal activities. It’s on record that the Fulani community operates a vigilante group that is assisting the government in the area of peace and security,” he stated.
While appreciating the Fulani community for their initiative to set up an internal vigilante, the Governor called on the Fulani leaders to use the vigilante to fish out criminal elements hiding under the cover of the Fulani to commit crimes.
Responding, National President, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Fulani Sociocultural Association, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello Bodejo, said the Fulani community coexist peacefully with the diverse ethnic groups in the state.
“Everywhere we are, we always put into consideration the welfare and security of our neigbours. We coexist peacefully with diverse ethnic groups. We have our leadership structure cutting across districts, local government, and state geared towards peaceful coexistence,” he said.
Alhaji Bodejo used the opportunity of the visit to appeal to the Governor to create a parking lot for vehicles at the Maliya Cattle Market, in order to decongest the busy Abuja expressway. He expressed willingness to donate a land to serve the purpose.
Those that attended the brief meeting include Ardos, the Sangarin Tudun Wada and special adviser to the national president on education, amongst other Fulani leaders.