Dr. Bashir Kurfi, Convener of the Katsina Community Security Initiative, has called for greater inclusion of Fulani communities in efforts to combat banditry, terrorism, and kidnappings across northern Nigeria.
Speaking on Trust TV on June 24, 2026, Kurfi argued that existing security strategies often overlook the experiences and potential contributions of local communities most affected by insecurity. He maintained that many peaceful Fulani communities were among the earliest victims of criminal violence in the North-West and North-Central regions.
“If truly we want to stop this, you also have to recruit the Fulanis because the Fulanis were the first victims of this terror that’s going on now,” Kurfi said.
According to him, many Fulani families have suffered cattle rustling, attacks on their settlements, displacement, and the loss of their livelihoods. He argued that these experiences position them as valuable partners in efforts to restore security.
Kurfi warned against stereotyping entire ethnic groups based on the actions of criminal elements, saying such perceptions could alienate communities and undermine intelligence gathering.
He called for stronger collaboration between government authorities, security agencies, traditional institutions, and local communities. According to Kurfi, building trust and involving respected local actors in security initiatives would improve information sharing, strengthen intelligence networks, and enhance efforts to tackle insecurity across the region.
