Sultan of Sokoto Defends Fulani Herdsmen Against Criminality

On Wednesday, at the 2026 National Conference of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Abuja, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, asserted that criminality should not be associated with Fulani herders. He emphasized that those involved in kidnapping and terrorism are criminals who must be identified regardless of their ethnic background.

The Sultan urged Nigerians to refrain from using the term "Fulani herdsmen" to describe criminals, advocating for a focus on the criminal actions themselves. He expressed the readiness of Fulani communities to collaborate with the Federal Government and security agencies to eliminate criminal elements from their areas.

The Sultan also praised President Bola Tinubu for creating the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, which he believes will significantly benefit the livestock sector. Baba Othman Ngelzarma, MACBAN National President, reiterated the association's condemnation of all forms of violent crime, stressing that no ethnic group should be judged by the actions of a few.