The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released a report on the alleged abuses against Fulani Muslims in various regions. As representatives of the Hausa people, we challenge this report and assert that it lacks fairness and understanding of the insecurity crisis in Northwestern Nigeria, known entirely as Hausa Land.
1. Misrepresentation of the Fulani Situation
The USCIRF report claims that Fulani Muslims face targeted ethnic and religious persecution. However, the reality is far more complex:
The Fulani Exploit Religion: The Fulani have consistently used Islam as a shield to avoid accountability for their criminal activities. In truth, 90% of bandits in Northwestern Nigeria are Fulani, and all major bandit leaders are Fulani, including:
Kacalla Halilu Sububu
Kacalla Bello Turji
Kacalla Dogo Gidɗe
Kacalla Ado Aleru
Fulani Atrocities Against Hausas: Fulani bandits have inflicted terror on Hausa communities through mass killings, kidnappings, and the destruction of livelihoods. Contrary to the USCIRF report’s claims, Fulani bandits overwhelmingly target Hausa Muslims, not Christians.
2. Northwestern Nigeria Is Entirely Hausa Land
The USCIRF report fails to recognize that the insecurity in Northwestern Nigeria affects the entirety of Hausa Land, comprising the states of:
Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi, Kaduna, and parts of Niger State.
The crisis is not about religious or ethnic persecution but stems from the actions of Fulani bandits, who exploit religion and ethnicity to justify violence.
3. Key Statistics (2014–2024)
Instead of portraying Fulani Muslims as victims, the following statistics reveal the devastating impact on Hausa communities:
Deaths: Over 3.1 million Nigerians were killed between 2014 and 2024, with the majority being Hausa Muslims.
Kidnappings: Over 10.2 million people were kidnapped, with ransoms totaling approximately ₦4.2 trillion.
Regional Impact:
Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna and Kebbi were the most affected, with 8,335,827 rural victims and 4,276,100 urban victims including some parts of Niger state.
Ransom Payments: ₦1.2 trillion was paid in the Northwest alone.
These figures underscore that Hausa Land has borne the brunt of Fulani-led insecurity.
4. Fulani Atrocities Against Hausa Muslims
The USCIRF report neglects the heinous crimes committed by Fulani bandits against Hausa communities, including:
Destruction of Farms: Fulani bandits routinely destroy crops and seize farmlands, worsening food insecurity for Hausa farmers.
Mass Displacement: Thousands of Hausa families have fled their homes due to relentless Fulani attacks.
School Closures: Hundreds of schools remain closed due to the threat of Fulani-led kidnappings, depriving Hausa children of education.
5. Fulani Victimhood and Historical Manipulation
The Fulani have a history of portraying themselves as victims of religious persecution, even when their actions disproportionately harm other communities. This strategy has been employed in several countries to manipulate religious sentiments and obscure their role in violence:
1. Mali: Fulani communities have been accused of aligning with militant Islamist groups, leading to significant backlash. However, Fulani leaders often frame this as ethnic or religious persecution to divert attention from their involvement in violence.
2. Burkina Faso: Fulani bandits exploit their Muslim identity to claim victimhood, despite widespread reports of their participation in atrocities, including massacres and attacks on other ethnic groups.
3. Nigeria: In Northwestern Nigeria, Fulani bandits target Hausa Muslims but frequently portray themselves as victims of religious discrimination, even as they perpetuate mass killings, kidnappings, and the destruction of Hausa livelihoods.
4. Central African Republic (CAR): Fulani groups in CAR have used claims of persecution to obscure their participation in intercommunal violence, including attacks on Christian-majority communities.
5. Benin and Togo: Fulani populations in these countries leverage their Muslim identity to claim victimhood in response to heightened security measures, even though some Fulani individuals have been linked to cross-border insurgencies.
6. Ghana: Fulani groups have used their religious identity to shield themselves from criticism, particularly when implicated in violent conflicts with local communities over land and resources.
7. Côte d’Ivoire: Anti-Fulani sentiment has grown in response to jihadist threats, but Fulani leaders often frame government actions as ethnic and religious persecution, distracting from their involvement in insurgent activities.
This manipulation of religious sentiments fuels ethnic conflicts, as the Fulani claim to represent Islam while committing atrocities that harm Muslims of different ethnicities.
6. Betrayal of Hausa Hospitality
Historically, the Hausa have welcomed and accommodated the Fulani, fostering peaceful coexistence. However:
Fulani groups have abused this hospitality, launching violent attacks against their hosts.
They manipulate religious sentiments to incite ethnic and religious conflicts while pursuing their ethnic agenda (Pulaaku).
7. Security Operations in Hausa Land
The Hausa people support the efforts of security forces to address banditry in the region:
Targeting Bandits, Not Civilians: The Fulani’s claims that innocent civilians are targeted are false. Security operations focus on apprehending Fulani bandits, the main perpetrators of violence.
Confirmed Bandit Leaders: Prominent Fulani leaders such as Bello Turji and Ado Aleru are masterminds behind the terror affecting Hausa Land.
Conclusion
The Hausa community calls for a balanced representation of the crisis in Northwestern Nigeria (Hausa Land). The USCIRF report must:
1. Acknowledge Fulani Atrocities: Recognize the significant role of Fulani bandits in perpetrating violence against Hausa communities.
2. Highlight Diverse Muslim Voices: Acknowledge the suffering of other ethnic Muslim groups targeted by Fulani bandits.
3. Present Accurate Data: Correct the false narrative of Fulani victimhood and address the devastating impact of banditry on Hausa Muslims.
4. Ensure Accountability: Advocate for justice and accountability for Fulani leaders orchestrating violence in the region.
The Hausa people remain committed to fostering peace and coexistence but demand that the truth about insecurity in Hausa Land be acknowledged and addressed appropriately.
#USCIRF #hausaactivist #amor #abuja #Hausa #history #africa #animals #abujaweddings Umar Muktar Sani Ustaz Mahmoud Al-Hausawiy Jaafar Jaafar Malumfashi Ibrahim Aliyu Mohammed Ibrahim Aliyu Kaduna Aliyu Dahiru Aliyu
