The Council of Fulani Chiefs in the South-West has denied any involvement in kidnapping, banditry, and other criminal activities, stressing that the Fulani community remains committed to peace and lawful conduct across the region.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the council’s chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Bambado II, distanced the body from individuals currently under investigation for alleged kidnapping in Ogun State.
According to him, the allegations concern specific suspects and should not be used to tarnish the image of the entire Fulani community or its traditional institutions.
Bambado spoke few hours after police said they had arrested some suspected Fulani kidnappers in Ogun State .
Some suspects are currently on the run, the state police command said on Saturday, assuring the people of the state that security agencies are currently tightening the grip on criminal elements who abduct people for ransome.
The Fulani leader however said his people do not support the criminal act, saying they are prepared to cooperate with the police to fish out the bad eggs among them.
He noted that the activity of some unscrupulous elements among them should not be use to generalise that the Fulani are criminals.
“The Council neither condones nor supports any form of criminality, including kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, or any activity that threatens the peace and security of our communities,” he said.
Bambado noted that criminal actions are personal and should be treated as such, adding that anyone found guilty should face justice through due legal process.
He also expressed support for security agencies in their efforts to investigate crimes and prosecute offenders, urging members of the public to provide useful information that could aid security operations.
The council further appealed to the media and the public to avoid ethnic profiling and generalizations capable of creating division and mistrust among communities.
Reaffirming its commitment to peaceful coexistence, the council said the Fulani community would continue to support initiatives aimed at promoting peace, security, and development in the South-West and the country at large.
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