We have the Miyetti Allah and Tapital Pulaku, the umbrella bodies of the Fulani. It's the consensus that most armed bandits and kidnappers in the North can be traced to the Fulani. Already, the robust relationship between the Fulani and Hausa that has existed for about 100 years is being fractured to the extent that the Hausa are carving their own identity and saying that Fulani criminals are targeting their people in unleashing mayhem. I have seen the video of several Hausa youth threatening the Fulani with reprisal attacks if they continue their banditry against their people.
If you go to Tiv, Yoruba, ethnic groups in Plateau, Adamawa, Niger, the same cry about the activities of Fulani bandits against their people is heard. And in all these, the two umbrella bodies have been mute. They only become active if herders are stopped from open grazing, but they have been silent about all the mayhem they have caused to the people. They cannot even open a dialogue with them the way Sheikh Gumi is doing.
What are the solutions to this lingering and devastating violent vacation the Fulani marauders have embarked upon?
1. The Gospel According to El Rufai: He had proposed the total destruction of the criminals. He gave the example of Birnin Gwari, which has become a no-go area for citizens and even the security forces. He suggested that if it means leveling the forest in the area and other forests like Sambisa, which have become their places of abode, so be it.
2. The Destruction of Their Hideouts: This should not be restricted to areas occupied by the Fulani criminals. The hideouts of other criminals from other nationalities should be identified and decimated.
3. Addressing the Root Causes: The government should work towards settling the nomadic Fulani, no matter what it takes, providing them with social amenities and, most importantly, education.
4. Tackling the Almajiris: The government in the North should address the issue of the Almajiris, a system commonly practiced by the Hausa. A timeframe of 1-2 years should be given for banning children from roaming the streets begging for alms. This is inhumane and a clear case of child abuse.
5. Northern Governors must continue where former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan stopped: building Almajiris schools in all corners of the North, and thereafter, the children will be compulsorily enrolled in these schools. The Almajiris malams must make themselves available for employment in such schools to teach Islamic education, if found to be qualified. These schools should be divided into two categories: primary schools and schools designed to teach specific skills. After graduation, students will be given tools to engage in these trades with startup funds to hire places to practice their trade. In Adamawa, Admiral Nyako has already built such centers. The government must engage the two bodies of the Fulani to find lasting solutions to Fulani criminality.
6. A Law Criminalizing the Almajiris: A law criminalizing the Almajiris system should be enacted, and Islamic malams found to harbor such children will be jailed or fined.
7. A Comprehensive Blueprint: A comprehensive blueprint to tackle the problem of Fulani menace and the Almajiris system must be produced and meticulously executed.
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