President of Jamu Nati Fulbe Association, a Fulani socio-cultural group in the South-west, Alhaji Salihu Kadir has denied allegations that Fulani herdsmen were responsible for the kidnap of former presidential aspiant, Olu Falae or even engaged in acts of kidnapping in the South West of Nigeria.
In an interview with Daily Trust, Kadir said no Fulani herder who is preoccupied with feeding and nourishing his herds of cows and sheep would think of kidnapping anyone, not to talk of an elder statesman like Falae.
He said calls made by Afenifere group and a two time minister, Femi Fani-Kayode that Fulani herdsmen must be banned in the South West, were unfortunate and will amount to denying herdsmen their means of survival and invariably hurt the economy. He accused other farmers in the south west of committing crimes and blackmailing Fulani herdsmen
“Nobody would say this act was committed by the Ibo, Yoruba or Hausa, this is unfair. Every time a crime was committed, it is Fulani that is always responsible, enough of this blackmail. This is the major challenge we are facing. The Fulani herdsmen are only after the welfare of their cows, yet we are being blackmailed consistently. Farmers would lie against us that we are responsible for the destruction of their farms and they would present fake pictures and evidence to the police in order to implicate the herdsmen"he said
