The Fulbe Global Development and Rights Initiative (FGDRI), a sociocultural group, has urged Alhaji Saad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, to step in and put a stop to the ongoing conflict between the Fulani and Hausa peoples of Nigeria.

The tribe disassociated itself from banditry and other criminal elements associated with its kinsmen and lamented the ongoing conflicts between the Hausa and Fulani in northern Nigeria.

At the Fulbe Global Development and Rights Initiative annual general meeting over the weekend, the organization’s president-general, Dr. Salim Musa Umar, made the appeal, claiming that the Fulani people were being singled out and connected to illegal activity in Nigeria so they might be severely injured with no way to defend themselves.

He claimed that there is an existential threat facing the Fulani people today and urged everyone to come up and stop the planned “genocide” against them.

According to Umar, the first quarter of 2024 saw the deaths of around 156 Fulani people and 7,000 animals, primarily in the states of Taraba, Niger, Kaduna, and Zamfara.

He said, “The Fulani anywhere in this country and many other countries have become an easy prey and likely to be linked, compared or attached to all forms of vices.

“The narrative that is being sold in Nigeria trying to pit the Hausa against the Fulani is not something we can fold our hands and watch. A Hausa killing a Fulani and a Fulani killing a Hausa is such a big challenge.

“All of them are Muslims in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and other states in Northern Nigeria and our revered fathers are keeping quiet. It’s high time we set a committee that will take us to the Sultan to take leadership seriously and settle the Fulani and Hausa feud.

“As a race, we are facing existential threat. If a Fulani is not safe in Sokoto State, I don’t know where he will be safe in this country,” he said.

Nonetheless, Umar acknowledged that criminals existed among the Fulani people.

“The criminals among us are not representing us, they are not our ambassadors, we didn’t ask them to go into banditry or kidnapping on our behalf, they are criminals and must be identified as that.

“They are not representing Fulbe, so no Fulbe should be tagged because some of his brothers are involved in kidnapping and banditry.

“Over time, our people have been subjected to pressure most of which are orchestrated by some evil personalities hence, our responsibility to address the challenges become difficult and seemingly impossible sometimes.

“However, it is possible if we can come together with the strongest of determination to say enough is enough, I believe we can do it,” he said.

He revealed that an investigation by the National Human Rights Commission is being conducted into the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF) killings of herders in Nasarawa State.

He stated that the group had lost their petition in the state High Court in Makurdi regarding the Benue State Anti-Open Grazing Law but has appealed the decision.

Malam Isah Yuguda, the occasion’s chairman, had earlier stated that the Fulbe had gone through a traumatic event and needed to act wisely to ensure the future of their next generation.

According to Lamido Sanusi, the deposed Emir of Kano Sanusi, the Fulani and the Jews were being prepared for a worldwide genocide.

He urged the appropriate parties to start interacting with the community in order to alter the perception of the stigmatization of the Fulani ethnicity.

Dr. Rabiu Bello, the Sarkin Fulani of Niger State, denounced instances of livestock rustling, intimidation, and extortion by security personnel at checkpoints in his message of goodwill.