Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle, yesterday, met with officials of the Fulani umbrella body, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breaders Association (MACBAN) in his push to end banditry and kidnappings in the state. The Fulanis are largely blamed for the continuing banditry in the state and have been declared persona non grata in some communities. Matawalle said that the meeting was at the instance of President Muhammad Buhari who directed that all stakeholders be engaged in the search for end of the criminality.
“I met with President Muhammad Buhari recently over security challenges facing the state. “Part of the promise I made to Mr President is to meet and discuss with stakeholders on how to end banditry activities in the state, so I m complying with Mr President directives over his concern to the people in this state.
“The security challenges in Zamfara is my concern even before I became governor, I thank Allah for giving me the oppurtunity to lead this state. “It is very unfortunate; Fulanis were known to be a peace-loving people, there was good relationship with fulani and any law abiding fulani today is not happy with what is happening in Zamfara and other parts of the country. “Some bad elements among us are fond of smearing the image of the fulanis. As I heard in some towns in this state, fulanis cannot come out, so we want to stop that, we want to carry everyone along.” The governor said all responsible Fulani people must help to “restore back their culture of peace, stability, tolerance and understanding.
