Bandits’ crimes don’t represent Fulani, Shehu Sani tells Nigerians

The senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has urged Nigerians not to judge the Fulani community by the criminal activities of a few individuals, saying ethnic identity must not be confused with criminality.

Sani made the call on Saturday while addressing members of the National Association of Fulbe Students, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria chapter, where he spoke on insecurity, national unity, ethnic relations and the need for a more comprehensive approach to tackling banditry and kidnapping.

He said insecurity had assumed different forms across the country, including terrorism in the North-East and banditry, kidnapping and communal conflicts in parts of the North-West and North-Central regions.

The ex-lawmaker condemned the activities of notorious bandits, including Kachalla, Haliru and Bello Turji, describing their criminality as a serious threat to Nigeria’s national life.

“The criminality perpetrated by the few, the likes of Kachalla, Haliru, Bello Turji and others, has become so cancerous to our national life,” Sani said.

He recalled that the North was historically known as one of the most peaceful and accommodating parts of Nigeria, where people could live and move freely with their families.

“The North used to be the most peaceful place and one of the most accommodating parts of Nigeria. It used to be one of the most important places where you could walk and live with your family,” he said.

Sani said the Fulani had historically been associated with values of respect, discipline and peaceful coexistence, but lamented that the activities of criminals had damaged the community’s reputation.

“In history, culture and tradition, Fulanis have been known for respect, discipline and peace.

“Criminality has destroyed the integrity and reputation of the Fulani people. They kill, rape and burn down villages, extort, collect ransom running into hundreds of millions of naira and kidnap children,” he said.

Sani said the crimes committed by individuals should not be used to condemn an entire ethnic group.

“An ethnic group should not be judged by the criminality of some of its members.

“There is no injustice that justifies the killing of innocent people. No injustice justifies kidnapping or any form of criminality,” Sani said.

The former senator urged security agencies to pursue criminals regardless of their ethnic or regional background, saying the solution was not to justify one crime by pointing to another.

“The solution is not to say that others are also doing it or that there are others behind them. The solution is to take them all. We have to take them all,” he said.

Sani also raised questions about the financial networks behind banditry, asking why many northern bandits remained poor despite reports of huge ransom payments.

“Even when they collect billions, why are they still poor? If you arrest one typical bandit, you will find him so hungry, so poor and dirty. Then you have to ask yourself the question: where has the money been going?” Sani asked.

• Police arrest 262 suspects, rescue 27 kidnapped victims
• Police launch rescue for six Zamfara Imams, Matawalle rallies support
• Bandits attack Oyo security base, torch patrol van

He questioned whether the bandits were merely foot soldiers working for more powerful criminal networks.

“Are they only foot soldiers? Is there a force behind them?” he further asked.

According to him, the authorities must investigate not only those carrying out attacks but also those financing, coordinating and benefiting from kidnapping and banditry.

Sani contrasted the situation with organised criminality in some other parts of the country, where, he said, suspected beneficiaries of kidnapping proceeds could sometimes be associated with conspicuous wealth.

“In the southern part of Nigeria, when they say this man is a kidnapper, you will see him with hotels. You will see shopping malls, mansions and expensive vehicles.

“You will see opulence, wealth, an ostentatious lifestyle and comfort,” he said.

He questioned why the proceeds of kidnapping in the North did not appear to produce similar visible wealth among many of the bandits arrested.

“But those in our part of the country, where do they take their money to.

“If you arrest one of them, hardly will you see him looking well-fed or well-dressed. You may see him looking as if he has not eaten for three or four days, and what he is wearing may not be worth more than a few thousand naira,” he added.

He said the disparity should prompt authorities to investigate the broader financial architecture of kidnapping and banditry.

Sani maintained that the fight against insecurity must go beyond the arrest of criminal foot soldiers to uncover the financiers, sponsors and beneficiaries of criminal activities.

He also urged members of the Fulbe community, particularly young people, to reject criminality, embrace education and contribute positively to national development.

The former senator warned that Nigeria could not successfully defeat insecurity if citizens continued to view criminality through ethnic or religious lenses.

He called for equal justice and protection for all Nigerians, regardless of ethnicity, religion or region, saying perpetrators of crime should be treated as criminals rather than representatives of their ethnic groups.

Sani further urged Nigerians to approach the 2027 political season with caution, warning against allowing political competition to deepen ethnic divisions.

He said national unity, justice, security and peaceful coexistence should remain paramount as Nigerians prepare for the 2027 general elections.