Fulani ethnic nationalities, under the aegis of the KautalPulaaku Fulbe Association of Nigeria, have called for an independent investigation into alleged killings of pastoralists across the country, citing an estimated 20,000 deaths in farmer-herder conflicts over the past decade.

The association also demanded an immediate end to the profiling of Fulani communities as bandits, kidnappers and terrorists.

Making the call during a peace and security conference yesterday in Abuja, the President of the Confederation of Pastoralist NGOs (CONPA), Dr Muhammad Buzaye, alleged that hundreds of pastoralists, including women, children and the elderly, had been killed in attacks in Plateau, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and other states in recent months.

The group called on President Bola Tinubu to convene a national dialogue and reconciliation conference involving pastoralist groups, farmers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies and state governments to address the persistent conflicts and establish a framework for peaceful coexistence.

In the meantime, the death toll in the Friday night attack in DorowaBabuje community in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State has risen from four to seven.

Gunmen reportedly stormed the community around 11 pm and first attacked the vigilantes in the area, killing four of them instantly and leaving no fewer than six others injured.

Confirming the incident, the National Publicity Secretary of Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), RwangTenhwong, described the killings as unfortunate and called on the relevant security agencies to investigate the incident and bring perpetrators to justice.

The Guardian learnt that three of those injured in the attack later died, and their corpses have been recovered from the bush.

MEANWHILE, CONPA further alleged that thousands of cattle had been rustled or killed and settlements belonging to pastoralist communities destroyed, thereby displacing families and devastating livelihoods.

The group called on the federal government to investigate the reported killings, ensure that perpetrators were brought to justice, and provide relief materials and assistance to the displaced pastoralist families.

Lamenting that the term “Fulani pastoralist” has been profiled and criminalised as synonymous with banditry, kidnapping and terrorism for too long, CONPA said the stereotyping had encouraged jungle justice, extrajudicial killings and hate speech against innocent pastoralists.

However, the association condemned banditry, kidnapping and other criminal acts, insisting that offenders should be identified and prosecuted individually rather than an entire ethnic community being held responsible.

CONPA also commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development but demanded that at least 30 per cent of the agricultural budget should be allocated to the ministry, among others.