A Fulani socio-cultural organisation, The Concerned Fulani People of Nigeria, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and other South-West governors to caution Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, over alleged inflammatory remarks against Fulani communities in Oyo State.
The group expressed concern over reports that Igboho issued a two-hour ultimatum to Fulani leaders in Oyo State following the alleged abduction of a woman, her children and a sibling by suspected kidnappers.
According to media reports, Igboho threatened to confront those he believed were responsible if the victims were not released within the stipulated period and reportedly vowed to invade a forest reserve allegedly being used by the kidnappers.
Reacting in a statement signed by its Convener, Ibrahim Barkindo Chubado, and dated June 21, 2026, the organisation warned that profiling entire Fulani communities for crimes allegedly committed by individuals could heighten ethnic tensions and undermine national peace and security.
The group maintained that Fulani people are opposed to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and all forms of criminality, stressing that criminal activities should not be attributed to any ethnic group.
“The Fulani race remains opposed to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and all forms of criminality. However, criminal acts should not be attributed to an entire ethnic group,” the statement said.
It added that Fulani people are law-abiding citizens who should not be collectively blamed for the actions of criminals operating in different parts of the country.
The organisation expressed concern over what it described as a recurring trend of associating Fulani communities with criminal activities without sufficient evidence, warning that such generalisations could fuel hostility and violence.
The group also alleged that previous attacks on Fulani settlements in parts of Oyo State resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of property and displacement of residents, including women and children.
It referenced past incidents in the Ibarapa and Iganna areas of the state, where it claimed Fulani residents suffered casualties during communal conflicts, and called for security issues to be addressed through investigations and evidence rather than ethnic profiling.
While acknowledging that criminal elements exist among all ethnic groups, the organisation insisted that offenders should be treated strictly as criminals.
“We are not saying there are no bad eggs among Fulani, Hausa or other Northern ethnic groups. However, criminals should be treated as criminals and not profiled based on ethnicity or religion,” the group stated.
The organisation further described farmer-herder clashes as largely economic disputes that should not be turned into ethnic or religious conflicts.
It warned that inflammatory rhetoric could worsen insecurity and threaten national unity if not properly managed.
Consequently, the group urged President Tinubu, Governor Makinde and other South-West governors to take proactive steps to de-escalate tensions and promote peaceful coexistence among all ethnic groups.
It also called on Nigerians to support security agencies in combating kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities without resorting to ethnic or religious generalisations.
