The group condemned Governor Mutfwang’s ‘shoot on sight’ order, saying it was aimed at fulanis

A Fulani group, under the auspices of the Concerned Joint Fulani Association, has warned Plateau State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang to revoke the shoot-at-all order he recently gave to security agencies in the state against anyone found destroying farmlands in the state.

Mutfwang, who is alarmed by the renewed violence that has hit the state leading to the deaths of more than 50 people in the past month, gave the order during a condolence visit to Barkin Ladi Local Government Area last week.

While many have praised the Governor for what they believe are bold steps in reducing a series of attacks and killings allegedly carried out by Fulani bandits and Islamic extremists, Fulani groups have warned the governor that he is playing with fire by giving orders they say are partisan in nature and aimed at targeting the Fulani community.

The group in a statement issued on Saturday by its coordinator, Modibo Sule, said that the order would inevitably backfire and instead of having the desired impact, it would be counter-productive if the Fulani people decided to defend themselves in the face of attacks from ethnic militia gangs.

“His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, Executive Governor of Plateau State last week gave a shoot-at-all order to security agencies against anyone found destroying agricultural land in the state,” the group said in its statement.

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“The order, according to the Governor, is to stop the attacks and violence that is still occurring in the state, but what we would remind the Governor is that the order appears to be one-sided, partisan, and appears to be aimed at the Fulani people and in the long run, will be counterproductive.

“We want Governor Mutfwang to understand that whatever his good intentions, such an order shows that he does not have the Fulani people at heart.

“Our people were peace-loving and lived peacefully with their neighbors in different communities until the natives started attacking them, killing them, stealing their livestock, and destroying their livelihoods. In unprovoked attacks like this, does anyone expect us to sit idly by and watch our people be destroyed?

“While the order from the Chief Security Officer of Plateau State is a firm stance against the destruction of agricultural land and addresses a major threat to livelihoods for many communities, the order appears to be one-sided.

“This places limited public emphasis on similar grievances, including the killing of herders, livestock grazing, poisoning of grazing lands and water sources, and livestock destruction. This selective focus risks deepening distrust.

“These actions are selective and cannot lead to lasting peace. Insecurity in the country thrives on a cycle of retaliation fueled by perceived bias. Partial actions that target one party while appearing to ignore others will only breed hatred, encourage underground retaliation, and erode trust in the government and security institutions.

“We demand equal justice for all and reject favoritism, tribalism, ethnicity and religious bias from the government.

“Every criminal act, whether destroying agricultural land, killing herders, destroying livestock, or attacking people, must be dealt with with the same spirit regardless of the identity of the perpetrator.

“True security lies in impartiality, accountability and fair protection of the lives and livelihoods of farmers and herders. If this does not happen, then conflict will perpetuate rather than resolve. Only justice can break the cycle,” the group said.