A Fulani socio-cultural association, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore has constituted a 55-man legal team to free some of their members currently serving various jail terms for different offences in correctional facilities across the country.
National president of the association Alhaji Abdullahi Bodejo disclosed during the group’s 2023 annual general meeting in Karu local government area of Nasarawa State.
Bodejo said the move became necessary given the high numbers of herdsmen incarcerated for alleged crimes.
“Many of our kinsmen are in correctional facilities across the country for doing nothing wrong to anyone. They were caught and sent to jail simply because they were taking their cows around for grazing. Others were arrested just because they were Fulani people.
“The situation has been very worrisome, that is why we decided to constitute this legal team of 55 lawyers who will help the innocent ones to get the justice they deserve,” he said.
He however said the legal representation is only for those who were unjustly incarcerated, noting, “Those who are in jail for various crimes should face the music for their crimes.”
He said the body abhors violence and crimes and would not support any herdsman who takes the law in his or her hand.
“This association does not encourage violence of any kind. We believe that Nigeria should remain peaceful and united, so any of our kinsmen who look for trouble will not be assisted by our lawyers,” he noted.
He, therefore, appealed to herders to always live in peace and harmony with other Nigerians wherever they find themselves.
He decried the disturbing stereotyping of herders as violent and criminal people, noting that there are bad eggs in every tribe in the country.
Also speaking at the occasion, the matron of the association and BauchiState first lady, Aisha Bala Muhammed, called on herdsmen to always send their children and wards to school.
She said by so doing the youths can contribute positively to the development of the country instead of resorting to crimes.
“In every tribe, there are always people who will give a bad name to their kinsmen. All tribes have such people. So, that bad narrative on only the Fulani people is not good. We have to start sending our children to school and give them good upbringings so that they will be useful in our respective states and also contribute meaningfully to the growth of Nigeria,” she said.
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