Bandit Stereotype: Shehu Sani Defends Fulani Community From Rising Prejudice

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has voiced his deep concern over the growing stereotype that associates Fulani people with criminality.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Sani blamed the ongoing banditry crisis in Northern Nigeria for fueling widespread mistrust and prejudice against the Fulani ethnic group. He made these remarks while addressing a delegation of university students from the region at his residence.

He described banditry as a vicious scourge that has inflicted severe damage on the northern economy and society at large.

“They commit rape, burn down homes, target churches and mosques, attack travelers, and extort money from farmers,” he lamented.

Sani stressed that the impact of these violent acts has been catastrophic, crippling agriculture, disrupting education, and ruining small-scale businesses.

“Their actions have devastated farming in northern Nigeria. The catering business has been wrecked. Schools are shutting down — education is suffering,” he said.

Calling on educated Fulani youths to intervene, the ex-lawmaker urged them to return to their communities and take a stand against crime.

“As enlightened Fulani youths — and there are two of you here — you have a responsibility to enlighten your people that crime yields nothing but suffering. After over a decade of banditry, not a single bandit has become a billionaire. Instead, it has only destroyed Fulani lives and tarnished our image,” he said.

He expressed dismay that the criminal actions of a few have cast a shadow over the entire Fulani community.

“Due to the atrocities committed by some bandits — who are mostly Fulani — the average Fulani man is now viewed with suspicion. People might take one look at you and assume you’re a bandit simply because of your ethnicity.”

Sani concluded by highlighting the many positive contributions of Fulani individuals across sectors in Nigeria, urging the public not to overlook them.

“There are Fulani doctors, engineers, architects, professors, and businesspeople — all of whom are now being unfairly judged because of the criminal acts of a few,” he said.