Respected cleric, Isa El-Buba has alleged that the ongoing killings across parts of Nigeria are not mere farmer-herder clashes but a deliberate campaign of violence, which he described as “intentional genocide.”
Speaking during an interview on News Central TV from 2:32, El-Buba challenged the leadership of Miyetti Allah to take responsibility for ending the bloodshed.
“If today, Miyetti Allah says this genocide must stop, it will stop. It’s not herders-farmers clashes, it’s intentional genocide,” he declared.
According to El-Buba, the narrative of farmer-herder conflicts has been used to mask the reality of targeted killings and widespread destruction in many communities. He argued that the scale and consistency of the attacks suggest organized violence, not random disputes over grazing lands.
The cleric stressed that Miyetti Allah, as the most prominent Fulani socio-cultural group, wields significant influence and cannot feign ignorance of the atrocities committed in the name of herding. He noted that a firm stance from the group could end the crisis.
“The authority they command among herders is strong enough to change the situation. If they want peace, they can enforce peace. If they continue to defend violence, it will only escalate,” El-Buba said.
He urged the federal government and security agencies to go beyond rhetoric and confront what he termed “a coordinated strategy of displacement and killings.” He added that justice must be served for victims to restore trust in the state.
El-Buba’s comments have sparked fresh debate about the role of ethnic associations in Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, with many Nigerians agreeing that holding leaders accountable is crucial to ending the cycle of violence.
