The Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Fulani socio-cultural association has alleged that Fulani pastoralists have faced systematic and deadly attacks across Nigeria for the past 25 years—calling the situation the closest thing to “genocide” in the country.

Speaking during an interview on Channels TV on Thursday, the association’s National Secretary, Engr. Saleh Alhassan, dismissed claims of Christian genocide in Nigeria, insisting that such narratives are driven by groups seeking international sympathy and foreign funding.

“Pastoralists have been deliberately targeted for 25 years”

Alhassan said Fulani herders, not Christians, have been repeatedly targeted, killed, displaced and criminalised in multiple states.

“If we must be honest in this country, if there is anything close to genocide in Nigeria, it’s genocide against Fulani pastoralists in the last 25 years—from Plateau to Benue to Zamfara to Kebbi,” he said.

He accused some state governments of implementing laws that effectively “criminalised pastoralism,” further worsening tensions between herders and host communities.

Media narratives fuelling misunderstanding

Alhassan criticised what he described as irresponsible media framing of herder-related violence, saying it had distorted public understanding of the conflict.

According to him, certain narratives pushed by the media are “very unfortunate,” and fail to acknowledge that Fulani pastoral communities have also suffered mass killings, displacement, and stigmatization.

Accusations of foreign-aid propaganda

The Miyetti Allah official condemned individuals and religious leaders who take accounts of violence abroad, arguing that such actions are designed to attract foreign aid rather than offer solutions.

He cited the example of a bishop who reportedly took reports of violence in Benue to the United States.

“What he is looking for is foreign aid. He failed to contextualise the actual conflict,” Alhassan said, adding that local institutions—including the Senate and the National Human Rights Commission—were being bypassed.

He alleged that despite submitting a memorandum to the Senate on addressing the farmer-herder crisis, Miyetti Allah had not been invited to present its position.

Claims of increased attacks after Trump’s statement

Alhassan also said that attacks on pastoralists have escalated since former U.S. President Donald Trump recently commented on killings in Nigeria.

“In the last three weeks, pastoralists have been devastated in Kebbi, Niger and Benue States,” he said.
He claimed herders were attacked and displaced in several communities without a single public statement from security agencies or the media.

“Pastoralists are blamed without evidence”

He argued that herders are often scapegoated during conflicts:

“If there are conflicts in Benue, you accuse the pastoralist. After investigation, you discover that even locals are responsible.”

While acknowledging that some herders participate in violence, he insisted the broad portrayal of Fulani herders as aggressors is misleading.

Calls for a comprehensive security response

Alhassan urged the government to adopt an all-inclusive security strategy that addresses the roles of every actor in Nigeria’s complex conflict ecosystem.

“Yes, some herders may be involved in conflict, but the narrative that pastoralists are out to kill and destroy people is not the truth,” he maintained.

Worsening insecurity nationwide

His comments come amid a surge in attacks, kidnappings, and mass abductions across the northern region. In the last two weeks alone:

Over 300 schoolchildren and teachers were kidnapped in coordinated raids on schools in Kebbi and Niger states.

38 worshippers were abducted during an attack on a Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State—three were killed.

A pastor and his wife were kidnapped during a church service in Ejiba, Kogi State.

A bride-to-be and her bridesmaids were abducted in Chacho village, Sokoto State.

The Ojibara of Bayagan in Kwara State and six others escaped after kidnappers demanded a ₦150 million ransom.

The persistent insecurity has intensified tensions between farming communities and pastoralist groups, complicating efforts to restore peace across the affected regions.