Count Fulani Cattle Rearers Out of Owerri North Insecurity, Sariki Tells Residents
By Kelechi Ugo
The Sariki of Fulani cattle rearers in Imo State, Alhaji Abdullahi Umaru, has appealed to residents of Owerri North Local Government Area and the general public not to associate Fulani cattle rearers with the rising cases of insecurity in the area.
Speaking during an interaction with journalists, Umaru maintained that members of the Fulani community residing in the State are law-abiding citizens whose primary occupation is cattle rearing and livestock business, insisting that they have no involvement in criminal activities or acts of violence reported in parts of the Council Area.
The Fulani leader expressed concern over what he described as the continuous harassment and attacks on cattle rearers by some newly recruited vigilante operatives in the State, alleging that innocent herders have become targets despite having no links to criminal elements.
According to him, one of his kinsmen was recently shot by vigilante operatives while attempting to fetch water in Agbala community, an incident he said has heightened fear among members of the Fulani community.
"We are not bandits as some people think. We are ordinary cattle rearers struggling to make a living. In fact, we are also victims of insecurity because we fear the criminals operating in the forests and bushes," Umaro stated.
He disclosed that several cattle belonging to Fulani herders had gone missing in recent times, but owners were unable to search for them due to fear of encountering armed criminals in the bush.
"We have lost many cows, yet we could not go after them because of the insecurity situation. The vigilantes should focus their attention on the real criminals instead of attacking innocent cattle rearers," he said.
Umaru emphasized that the Fulani community has maintained peaceful relations with host communities across Imo State and has consistently engaged traditional rulers, community leaders, and stakeholders in efforts aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence.
He noted that whenever cattle stray into farmlands and destroy crops, the Fulani leadership encourages affected farmers to report such incidents for proper assessment and compensation.
"We have always advised our people to live peacefully with their neighbours. Whenever our cows invade farms, we ask the farmers to report the matter and we accept responsibility by paying compensation for damaged economic crops," he explained.
The Sariki further stressed his deep roots in Imo State, revealing that he was born and raised in the State and that his parents had also lived and conducted their businesses there for many years.
"I was born and brought up in Imo State. My parents also lived here. We consider ourselves part of this society and we have continued to contribute to the economic growth of the State through our lawful businesses," he said.
Calling for government intervention, Umaru urged the Imo State Government to protect law-abiding Fulani residents from intimidation and ensure that security measures are implemented without discrimination.
He also appealed to security agencies and vigilante groups to distinguish between genuine cattle rearers and criminal elements who may be operating under false identities.
"The government should come to our aid because every Nigerian has the constitutional right to live and carry out lawful business in any part of the country. We are still Nigerians and deserve equal protection under the law," he stated.
The Fulani leader reiterated the commitment of his people to peaceful coexistence with their host communities, describing the Igbo people as brothers and longstanding partners in commerce and social development.
He expressed optimism that continued dialogue among community leaders, security agencies, government officials, and Fulani representatives would help address misunderstandings and strengthen efforts to tackle insecurity in Owerri North and other parts of Imo State.
Umaru therefore called on all stakeholders to work together in identifying and apprehending criminal elements responsible for insecurity, rather than profiling innocent groups based on ethnicity or occupation.
