A Fulani community leader in Kwara State has denied that members of his group were behind the recent killings in the town of Rore, stressing that they too have been targeted by kidnappers and armed attackers.

Tairu Abdullahi, who heads the Fulani community in Rore, Ifelodun Local Government Area, said his people were being unfairly accused of violence despite living peacefully alongside other residents for more than six decades.

“These people who are carrying out these attacks are not our people,” Abdullahi told journalists. “We don’t know them. We have also been victims. They kidnapped my father and brother in Kajola, and it was only after we mobilised with local hunters that we were able to rescue them.”

He explained that kidnappings in the area often take place in the evening, between 7:00 pm and 7:30 pm, with gunmen striking quickly before disappearing into nearby forests. On several occasions, Fulani residents had joined hunters and security groups from neighbouring towns such as Oko, Idofin, Ajuba, Isanlu-Isin and Omu-Aran to track down the assailants and free abductees.

According to Abdullahi, tensions escalated after the latest incident in Rore when youths accused the Fulani of responsibility and attacked community members.

“They even beat up our Imam,” he said. “We were shocked, because everyone knows we have no other occupation here apart from farming and cattle rearing. For 60 years we have lived peacefully in this community.”

He acknowledged, however, that disputes occasionally arise when cattle stray onto farmland, damaging crops. “Anybody rearing animals is rearing complaints,” he admitted. “But the cow owners must always be patient and ready to resolve such issues.”

Abdullahi said the Fulani community remains committed to working with local security operatives and traditional hunters to protect residents from further attacks. “We are happy to be part of this community, and we will continue to play our role in safeguarding it,” he added.

Security patrols continue across parts of Ifelodun and surrounding local government areas, but authorities have yet to identify those behind the killings.