Bashir Ahmad: Fulanis Wrongly Blamed for Nigeria’s Crimes

The Fulanis and Nigeria’s Crime Narrative: A Misconception

​Bashir Ahmad, a former presidential aide, has expressed concern over the widespread attribution of various crimes in Nigeria to the Fulani ethnic group. While he acknowledges and condemns the criminal actions of some Fulani herdsmen, Ahmad finds it troubling that crimes across Nigeria—whether in the North, South, East, or West—are often automatically associated with Fulanis. He emphasizes that such blanket labeling fosters hate and misunderstanding, unjustly affecting innocent individuals within the Fulani community. ​

Ahmad calls for more Fulani voices to counter these narratives and reminds Nigerians that every ethnic group, including Fulani, Yoruba, and Igbo, comprises both good and bad individuals. Therefore, he argues, it is unfair to judge the entire Fulani community based on the actions of a few.