Fulani Pastoralists’ Group Denies Links to Banditry and Foreign Support

Leaders of the Fulani socio‑cultural group Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore have rejected claims that their organisation is involved in banditry or receives foreign backing. The group emphasized that it is a peaceful association focused on supporting Fulani livestock farmers rather than engaging in criminal or militant activities.

Officials stressed that their members are primarily engaged in cattle rearing and rural livelihoods, insisting that allegations connecting them to violent crimes are unfounded. They highlighted that Nigeria’s security challenges involve multiple criminal gangs and armed groups, making it misleading to associate these problems with any single ethnic identity.

The statement comes amid discussions over a proposed U.S. bill that could impose visa bans and asset freezes on individuals and organisations accused of human rights violations, including Miyetti Allah. Critics warn that such measures risk unfairly targeting a broad pastoral community instead of specific criminal actors.

Supporters of the group also noted that Fulani pastoralists themselves often fall victim to insecurity, frequently losing livestock or being displaced by attacks, underscoring the complexity of Nigeria’s security situation. The group called for accurate distinctions to be made between pastoral associations and independent criminal elements.