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Fish out criminals among you – Mohammed begs Fulani herders
BY NICHOLAS ABE
Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, has called on the Fulani herders to purge themselves of criminalities by fishing out the criminals in their midst.
Mohammed who said he has no apologies for kicking against the labelling of Fulanis as kidnapers and killers also charged the Fulanis to live and conduct their activities within the law of the land.
“I am calling on our brothers, the Fulanis, to ensure that they make their communities free of criminality.
“They must fish out the bad eggs from among themselves because criminality is criminality. In as much as we will protect them, that they cannot be profiled badly, they should make efforts to show that majority of them are good citizens, contributing positively to the growth and development of Nigeria,” the governor said on Wednesday, in Bauchi, during the launch of the 2020/2021 Annual Livestock Vaccination Campaign.
Mohammed said there is no ethnic group that is free of criminals adding that it is unfair to label a particular ethnic group as criminals as such action can breed disunity.
READ: Is Bala Mohammed part of ‘terrorist Fulani organisation’ terrorising Nigeria?
According to the governor who had been at the receiving end of negative public opinion, following his justification of Fulani herders bearing arms while engaging in their trade, the Fulanis have made sacrifices in their pastoral venture, providing the needed protein through supply of beef.
“We kicked against the profiling of the Fulanis as killers and kidnappers. We have no apology for what we have said because what we have done is to say the truth, that there is no tribe or ethnic group that is free from criminality.
“We are not saying that to spite anybody or spark unnecessary controversy. We have made our point and Nigerians across the board have discussed it and I am happy to say that from all indications, majority of sensible Nigerians have appreciated what we have said and that is the point,” the governor said.
He added: “I will therefore not mention anything on this matter again for fear that it could be escalated. I will listen to voices of reason and keep quiet.”