Tension Rises as Fulani Herders Reportedly Leave Southern Communities - Newstrends
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Tension Rises as Fulani Herders Reportedly Leave Southern Communities

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Tension Rises as Fulani Herders Reportedly Leave Southern Communities
Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN)

Tension Rises as Fulani Herders Reportedly Leave Southern Communities

A growing number of Fulani settlers and herders are reportedly leaving parts of southern Nigeria amid rising tensions, worsening insecurity, and allegations of ethnic profiling and targeted hostility in some communities.

Investigations and field reports indicate that some Fulani families in parts of the South-West and South-East have either relocated voluntarily or been forced to move from areas where they have lived for decades, following suspicions linking some individuals to crimes such as kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism-related violence.

Sources say the movement has been gradual but increasingly noticeable in rural communities, where pastoral families are reportedly abandoning long-standing settlements. In some cases, herders are said to be relocating livestock toward northern Nigeria or moving to neighbouring West African countries perceived as safer for grazing activities.

The development comes amid heightened insecurity in several parts of the country, where killings, abductions, and rural violence have fueled mistrust between farming communities and migrant herders.

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has denied claims that its members are widely involved in criminal activities, insisting that many innocent herders are becoming victims of ethnic profiling, displacement, and attacks.

The South-West Chairman of MACBAN and Sarkin Fulani of Abeokuta, Alhaji Muhammad Labar, confirmed that some members had already left the region due to fear and insecurity.

He said: “Some of our members have already left the South-West. They relocated to places where they believe they will be safer and more comfortable. There is fear within the Fulani community because of the way criminality is increasingly being linked to our people.”

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Labar added that Fulani settlers have lived peacefully in the region for generations and contribute significantly to the economy through cattle rearing and livestock trade.

MACBAN stressed that it continues to advocate for peaceful coexistence between Fulani herders and host communities, urging members not to engage in actions that could escalate tensions.

The association also stated that it has consistently worked with security agencies to identify and expose criminal elements within rural communities.

“We have always maintained that anybody found wanting should face the law. We will never allow the image of the Fulani community to be dragged into criminality,” Labar said.

Further findings indicate that Fulani herders in parts of the South-East are also facing growing insecurity, including reported killings, cattle rustling, and forced displacement in some communities.

The Deputy Director-General of MACBAN overseeing the South-East and South-South zones, Gidado Siddiki, alleged that several pastoralists were killed between November 2025 and May 2026 in parts of Enugu State, including Uzo-Uwani, Nkanu East, Enugu East, and Igbo-Etiti Local Government Areas.

He also claimed that dozens of cattle were killed or stolen in separate incidents and expressed concern that reports made to security agencies had not yielded adequate results.

Siddiki further alleged that Fulani settlers were displaced in some communities in Ebonyi State, despite mediation efforts involving security agencies.

While MACBAN officials described parts of Abia State as relatively calm, they said pastoralists in some areas still face restrictions and discrimination.

In Anambra State, they noted some improvement in security following government interventions, although isolated incidents of violence against herders were still reported.

Some residents in affected communities continue to express concern over rising insecurity, particularly kidnapping, armed attacks, and destruction of farmlands linked to rural violence.

A Fulani resident in Osun State, speaking anonymously, said many Fulani families in southern Nigeria were born and raised in their host communities and should not be collectively blamed for criminal acts.

He also said many herders cooperate with security agencies by sharing intelligence and monitoring newcomers within their communities.

Stakeholders and security analysts have called for renewed dialogue between farmers and herders, improved rural security, and stronger conflict resolution mechanisms to address rising tensions.

They warn that continued farmer–herder conflicts, if not properly managed, could deepen mistrust, increase displacement, and worsen insecurity across several states.

Authorities have yet to confirm a coordinated or mass exit of Fulani settlers from southern Nigeria.

Tension Rises as Fulani Herders Reportedly Leave Southern Communities

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“We Can’t Produce Him” — IGP Explains Adeyemi’s Absence at PFIPC Hearing

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"We Can't Produce Him" — IGP Explains Adeyemi's Absence at PFIPC Hearing
Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu

“We Can’t Produce Him” — IGP Explains Adeyemi’s Absence at PFIPC Hearing

  • The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has told the House of Representatives that the self-acclaimed Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeyemi Adeniyi, could not be produced before lawmakers because he is being held in custody pursuant to a valid court order.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has explained why the Nigeria Police Force failed to produce Adeyemi Adeniyi, the self-styled Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) , before the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the activities of the purported agency. The committee, chaired by Honourable Yusuf Gagdi, had on Monday directed the IGP to produce Adeyemi before the panel by noon on Wednesday to answer questions arising from testimonies presented by several government institutions. The directive followed submissions from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Budget Office of the Federation, the Nigeria Police Force and other agencies, all of which distanced themselves from the purported council.

At the resumed investigative hearing on Wednesday, the IGP was represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police Olufemi Akinola, who appeared alongside Assistant Commissioner of Police Bashir Abdullahi. Addressing the committee, Akinola explained that Adeyemi could not be produced because he was being held pursuant to a valid order of the Federal High Court. “We are here to convey the confidence of the Inspector-General of Police. The Nigeria Police Force may not be able to produce the suspect as requested in view of the subsisting warrant,” Akinola said. He stated that the police would require a production warrant or other appropriate order from the court before complying with the committee’s request. Reading the police correspondence, Committee Chairman Yusuf Gagdi informed lawmakers that the IGP had explained that Adeyemi remained in custody in connection with an ongoing criminal investigation into alleged conspiracy and forgery. “We have a standing rule. We are mindful of it. The first leg of the investigation is conspiracy and forgery, which is what has taken the man into custody. We are a respecter of the principle of the separation of powers,” Gagdi said. The chairman noted that he made the letter public to prevent the impression that Adeyemi had deliberately ignored the committee’s summons. “I decided to read the letter so that members of the press would not say the man failed to show up. We have proceedings and procedures,” he stated.

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The police had earlier confirmed that the Nigeria Police Force investigated part of the case late last year and filed eight-count charges against Adeyemi before the Federal High Court. The investigation was initiated following a petition dated October 17, 2025, from the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, alleging that Adeyemi falsely presented himself as Director-General of both the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and the PFIPC. According to the police, further petitions alleged that the suspect used the purported office to secure accommodation at the Phase III Federal Secretariat in Abuja, sought approval to recruit about 300 personnel, attempted to obtain a N1.32 billion allocation for the council in the 2026 Appropriation Act, and planned to organise a World Investment Summit under the council’s platform. The police representative had earlier cautioned lawmakers against demanding disclosures that could prejudice the ongoing criminal investigation and court proceedings. “We don’t want to say things that are under investigation. It is definitely going to prejudice the ongoing investigation and make people have opinions that may prejudge the outcome of an investigation or judicial decision,” Abdullahi had told the committee.

In response to the police explanation, the committee chairman, Yusuf Gagdi, accepted the explanation and assured the police that the committee would take the necessary legal steps to obtain the required court order. He also pledged that the committee would communicate with the Office of the Inspector-General of Police as soon as the order is secured. Gagdi emphasised that the committee would respect the powers of the judiciary and would not interfere with the criminal investigation being conducted by security agencies. “We cannot tamper with the ongoing investigation. We respect the good jobs the Inspector-General of Police, the Police, DSS, ICPC, EFCC and the National Security Adviser are doing, and we would not undermine the whole process,” Gagdi said.

During the investigation, the committee had uncovered about 29 documents suspected of being forged in connection with the operations of the purported agency. The documents included purported approvals from the State House, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Federal Ministry of Finance and several other government institutions. One of the highlights of the hearing was the committee’s examination of signatures on documents allegedly issued from the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President. When lawmakers asked whether the signatures matched authentic official correspondence, the police witness replied: “They are not the same.” Reacting, Gagdi said the findings had reinforced suspicions that several official government documents were forged. “So, it is not only a letter that was suspected to be forged? We are dealing with documents that include what is said to be a forged Act of the National Assembly in an attempt to establish a fake agency,” he said.

The PFIPC has been in the news recently after the Presidency disowned the agency amid revelations that it received a N1.32 billion appropriation in the 2026 budget and opened accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria. President Bola Tinubu ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate and submit a comprehensive report within 30 days. The House of Representatives constituted the ad hoc committee to investigate the activities of the purported council following allegations that it operated without legal backing while presenting itself as a Federal Government agency. The committee’s ongoing investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the creation and operations of the body, identify those responsible, and recommend appropriate legislative and legal actions. Gagdi disclosed that the committee would continue to correspond with the police and other relevant agencies to obtain further information and resolve outstanding issues, with the aim of laying its report by next week.

“We Can’t Produce Him” — IGP Explains Adeyemi’s Absence at PFIPC Hearing

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Oyo APC Governorship Crisis Deepens as G6 Aspirants Reject Alli’s Candidacy Claim

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Oyo APC Governorship Crisis Deepens as G6 Aspirants Reject Alli's Candidacy Claim
Senator Sharafadeen Alli

Oyo APC Governorship Crisis Deepens as G6 Aspirants Reject Alli’s Candidacy Claim

  • The G6 group of aggrieved governorship aspirants insists the party has no candidate yet, describing Senator Sharafadeen Alli’s assertions as “delusional” and demanding a credible consensus process supervised by President Tinubu.

The crisis rocking the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) intensified on Tuesday as six governorship aspirants, operating under the banner of the G6, openly rejected Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli’s claim that he is the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election. The aggrieved aspirants insisted that the APC is yet to produce a standard bearer and described Alli’s assertions as premature and unfounded. The G6, comprising former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan; Engr. Hakeem Alao; Dr. Ayobami Lam-Adesina; Barrister Akeem Agbaje; Mr. Ololade Bakare; and Barrister Musibau Asanike, made their position known in a statement issued on Tuesday. The group maintained that no agreement had been reached on the emergence of a consensus governorship candidate, and that their position on the governorship race has not changed.

Senator Alli, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly and is one of the APC governorship aspirants, has maintained that his nomination is valid. Speaking during an interactive session with journalists in Ibadan organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, Alli expressed confidence that efforts were already underway to heal divisions within the party and unite key stakeholders ahead of the 2027 polls. “On my part, I have also been going round to reconcile with members, both the governorship and the senatorial aspirants. I can tell you this party is going to resolve all that you think is a crisis,” Alli said. The senator also disclosed that he had held meetings with some of the aspirants in recent days and expressed optimism that disagreements within the party would soon be resolved.

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The G6, however, swiftly distanced itself from the senator’s remarks. In a statement, the aspirants said Alli was moving ahead of events and creating the impression that a consensus had already been reached when discussions were still ongoing. They stressed that none of them had abandoned their political ambitions and that their supporters remained committed to ensuring a fair process for selecting the party’s eventual candidate. “Oyo State APC is yet to have a governorship candidate, and Senator Sharafadeen Alli, who has been parading himself as the candidate of our great party, is living in delusion,” the statement read. The aspirants maintained that they remained loyal members of the APC and had no intention of working against the party. They noted that their primary concern was the emergence of a candidate through a process that would enjoy broad acceptance among members and stakeholders across the state. According to them, the success of the APC in 2027 depends on unity, transparency and a consensus-building process that accommodates different interests within the party.

The G6 reiterated its support for President Bola Tinubu and said it would stand by any decision reached through a credible consensus arrangement initiated by the President and the party leadership. “We are good party members and will gladly work for the victory of our great party with anyone President Bola Ahmed Tinubu picks as the consensus candidate,” the statement added. The group further argued that imposing any aspirant on party members could deepen divisions and weaken the APC’s chances in the next governorship contest. They called for wider consultations and a review of ongoing political arrangements to ensure that all stakeholders are carried along. “While G6 is committed to the success of our party in the 2027 general elections, we insist that the process must be reviewed to produce a consensus that will ensure the emergence of a candidate that most party members will accept and support. Not an aspirant who is using propaganda in his bid to impose himself as the candidate of the party,” the group stated.

The crisis within the Oyo APC has been brewing for months, with multiple factions and aggrieved aspirants raising concerns over the conduct of the party’s governorship primary. In July 2026, the party inaugurated a high-powered reconciliation committee led by Senator Olufemi Lanlehin and Professor Taoheed Adedoja to resolve internal grievances and strengthen unity ahead of the 2027 polls. During separate consultative meetings held on July 8 and July 10, the aggrieved aspirants expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the governorship primary, raising concerns over both the process and the outcome of the exercise. Despite their grievances, the aspirants reaffirmed their commitment to the party and agreed to honour any invitation by President Tinubu to discuss their concerns. The crisis has also been compounded by supporters of the Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, who have continued protests at the APC Secretariat in Oyo State, insisting on “Adelabu or nothing” and rejecting what they described as an alleged attempt to impose a governorship candidate.

Despite the deepening crisis, the APC’s reconciliation committee has continued to meet with aggrieved aspirants in an effort to restore unity. The committee has assured all parties of its commitment to handling the process with sincerity, transparency and objectivity, stressing that every submission and concern will receive fair consideration. President Tinubu has also been expected to intervene directly in the matter, with the aspirants expressing readiness to honour any invitation by the President to discuss their concerns. The party leadership has expressed confidence that the ongoing reconciliation exercise will promote peace, unity and progress within the Oyo State chapter of the APC ahead of future political activities. Despite the disagreements, the G6 emphasized that the APC in Oyo State remains united and capable of reclaiming power in the state if internal issues are properly managed. They described the party as one family and said their demand for a credible consensus process should not be interpreted as rebellion against the party leadership.

Oyo APC Governorship Crisis Deepens as G6 Aspirants Reject Alli’s Candidacy Claim

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Osun govt accuses police of raiding SSG, commissioners’ homes without warrants

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Osun govt accuses police of raiding SSG, commissioners’ homes without warrants
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and Osun State Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan

Osun govt accuses police of raiding SSG, commissioners’ homes without warrants

The Osun State Government has raised alarm over what it described as the systematic invasion, surveillance and alleged attacks on the homes of top government officials by personnel of the Osun State Police Command, claiming that some of the operations were carried out without proper search warrants.

The government said the latest incident involved the residence of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), which it alleged was invaded by a combined team of police officers led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, said the reported police operation resulted in the arrest of some family members of the SSG, who were allegedly taken to an undisclosed location.

Alimi said the incident followed similar police operations at the homes of about six commissioners and other senior officials of the state government.

According to the commissioner, the SSG was attending a stakeholders’ forum organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) when police officers reportedly entered the residence. He added that ward officials were holding a meeting within the premises at the time of the operation.

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The state government also alleged that police officers had earlier raided the residence of the Osun Commissioner for Energy in Ikire, claiming that the property was searched and some items were damaged.

Alimi further alleged that several other commissioners had reported increased police surveillance around their homes, while some residences were reportedly entered despite no allegation of illegal activity being linked to the properties.

The commissioner said the government had received reports that some members of the Accord Party were being held at the Criminal Investigation Department of the Osun State Police Command and had not been granted bail.

He described the alleged raids and arrests as an attack on the Osun government and accused the police command of acting in a partisan manner.

“The campaign of repression constitutes a grave danger to democracy,” Alimi said, alleging that the police had become a tool in the hands of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

The Osun government argued that law enforcement agencies must operate within the provisions of the Constitution and remain neutral in political matters, particularly as preparations continue for the 2026 Osun governorship election.

Alimi warned that the reported operations could increase political tension and affect public confidence in the ability of security agencies to provide a peaceful and level playing field during the election.

He called on traditional rulers, the Police Service Commission, the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser, and President Bola Tinubu to intervene and investigate the allegations.

The commissioner also urged relevant authorities to ensure that police operations in the state were conducted professionally, lawfully and without political bias.

According to Alimi, Governor Ademola Adeleke had repeatedly appealed to residents and political supporters to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands despite growing concerns over political violence and security-related developments in the state.

He warned that the situation could worsen if the allegations were not addressed, calling for urgent action to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order.

The Osun State Government said it remained committed to protecting the rights and safety of residents while urging security agencies to carry out their constitutional responsibilities fairly and impartially.

As of the time of filing this report, the Osun State Police Command had not publicly responded to the specific allegations concerning the reported invasion of the SSG’s residence, the alleged raids on commissioners’ homes or the claims involving members of the Accord Party.

Osun govt accuses police of raiding SSG, commissioners’ homes without warrants

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