Fulani Group Outlines Demands for Peace in Plateau

The Plateau State chapter of the Fulani Dialogue Forum (FDF) has expressed readiness to embrace peace—if certain demands are met by the state government and local communities.

In a communiqué released after a meeting on Saturday, and signed by FDF Chairman Alhaji Shehu Buba and Secretary Salihu Musa Umar, the group outlined grievances and conditions it believes are crucial for ending years of tension in the state.

According to the statement, the Fulani community is seeking:

Employment opportunities for Fulani youths on equal terms with other ethnic groups.

Justice and compensation for herders who have lost cattle.

Freedom to graze cattle on legally designated routes.

Fair distribution of resources and development projects, such as hospitals, roads, clean water, and electricity.

The Forum also accused the Plateau State government and some local communities of marginalization, land confiscation, and failure to protect Fulani lives and property. It is alleged that since 2010, attacks on Fulani communities have resulted in deaths, displacement, loss of livestock, and destruction of homes, with little or no action taken by authorities.

The group emphasized that peace would only be possible if issues of compensation, indigenous rights, grazing reserves, resettlement of displaced persons, access to stock routes, and the development of nomadic schools are addressed.

FDF urged stakeholders to understand the “nature of our grievances” before any meaningful dialogue can take place.