The Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamali, has stated that true Fulanis do not carry AK-47s to terrorize people.
Speaking on October 12 at a cultural event organized by the Fulani Development and Cultural Organisation (FUDECO), Bamali emphasized that a Fulani man is traditionally expected to carry only a stick and cutlass to protect his livestock. He pointed out that the negative actions of a few individuals should not define the entire ethnic group.
“The bad elements, as is the case in every ethnic group, should not be used to paint all Fulanis in a bad light,” he said.The emir highlighted the importance of the event, describing it as an opportunity for Fulanis to present themselves to the broader Nigerian public.
“This is an avenue for us to know who we are, what we stand for, and let everybody in Nigeria and beyond understand who are the true Fulanis,” Bamali noted. The event drew participants from different regions, including Abuja, Lagos, Cameroon, and Mali.
Addressing the ongoing farmer-herder crisis in Nigeria, which has often led to violence, Bamali expressed pride in his Fulani heritage. “I am very, very proud to be a Fulani man. All my ancestors, left and right, were Fulanis. So there is no how I will not be proud of my heritage, my culture, and everything,” he stated.
The emir also called on the Fulani people to uphold their traditional values and remain proud of their cultural identity. “Fulani should continue to be proud people as always, they should always maintain their values, those core values of a Fulani man,” he said.
Reaffirming the peaceful nature of the Fulani people, he added, “As a Fulani man, you are not expected to carry an AK-47. It is not part of our culture. A Fulani man is expected to carry his stick and cutlass to cut grass for his animals—nothing more.”
He further condemned the violence associated with banditry and urged for an end to such acts, attributing the actions to a few bad actors. “Yes, the bad eggs which we have in every tribe in this country will stop that rascality. That is our prayer,” Bamali said.
Ahmed Shehu, the guest speaker and founding secretary of FUDECO, condemned the stereotyping of Fulanis. He revealed that he has been engaged in a legal battle with the federal government and 10 newspapers over the issue for the past two years.
Shehu drew parallels between the treatment of Fulanis in Nigeria and the persecution of Jews in Nazi Germany and the Tutsis in Rwanda before the genocide.
“Anyone who is in the bush and causing destruction is not one of us. The world should hear this. We distance ourselves from him,” Shehu said, adding that such individuals should be recognized as thieves and murderers, not as representatives of the Fulani community.
Abubakar Naseh, FUDECO’s Kaduna coordinator, explained that the organization was formed in response to the killings of Fulani pastoralists in Adamawa and Taraba states in 2016 and 2017.
Naseh said FUDECO’s objectives include educating pastoralists on their rights and encouraging their participation in decision-making processes to improve access to basic infrastructure, including water, healthcare, and veterinary services.
