The Plateau State chapter of the Coalition of Fulani Registered Organizations has called on Governor Caleb Mutfwang to extend his recent directive authorising security agents to shoot-on-sight individuals found destroying farmlands, to also include cattle rustlers and those allegedly attacking Fulani herdsmen.
The coalition, an umbrella body of Fulani pastoralist and socio-cultural groups in the state, made the appeal in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by its Chairman, Hon. Garba Abdullahi Muhammad.
In the statement, the group argued that fairness and justice would only be achieved if the governor’s order also covered individuals involved in cattle theft, livestock poisoning, and attacks on herders carrying out their legitimate activities.
The group commended Governor Mutfwang for his response to renewed clashes between farmers and herders in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, and Bokkos Local Government Areas, as well as his efforts aimed at restoring peace in affected communities.
However, it expressed concern that overzealous security personnel or ethnic militia groups could exploit the directive to target innocent Fulani herdsmen.
“While we commend Gov. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang on his efforts at resolving the current ongoing crisis and restoring peace in the state especially in Local Government Areas, we also urge him to extend the shoot-on-sight order to cattle rustlers and those who attack innocent Fulani herdsmen going about their legitimate businesses,” the statement read.
The coalition warned that failure to broaden the directive could be interpreted as bias and could worsen tensions in affected communities.
“By doing that, he will be seen as being fair and just. Anything out of this will be seen as taking sides and being partisan,” Chairman Garba Abdullahi Muhammad said.
He further cautioned that insecurity in rural areas could escalate if the order is misapplied by security operatives or exploited by armed groups.
The coalition also raised concerns over reported killings of herders, cattle rustling, poisoning of grazing lands and water sources, as well as destruction of livestock in parts of the state.
It called on the government to ensure that any security directives equally address attacks on both farmers and herders, stressing that justice must apply to all affected communities.
“Lasting peace in Plateau can only be achieved through dialogue, accountability, and mutual respect,” the statement added.
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