Introduction Nigeria's insecurity crisis has deep roots in political manoeuvring, historical divisions, and ideological struggles. Recen...
Introduction
Nigeria's insecurity crisis has deep roots in political manoeuvring, historical divisions, and ideological struggles. Recent revelations and testimonies have reignited debate about the origins of banditry and the role of past governments in enabling violence. To understand where we are today, we must revisit the statements of political actors, repentant bandits, and historical leaders whose words continue to shape Nigeria's destiny.
Baraje's Revelations
On his 70th birthday, former APC chieftain Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje revealed that Fulani militias were imported from Mali, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and other countries to secure victory in the 2015 elections. He warned that these groups, once empowered, would refuse to leave. His warning was ignored, and Nigeria has since witnessed escalating violence across its states.
The Repentant Bandit's Testimony
A viral video featured a repentant Fulani bandit who claimed he and others were armed with AK-47s by the Buhari administration. He swore to this and said that he rejected banditry because of his years of training as an almajiri. The government's silence on this explosive allegation, despite its usual quick responses to Fulani-related issues, was interpreted by many Nigerians as tacit consent.
Are these bandits, who are now killing Nigerians across every state of the federation, the same individuals who were secretly brought into Nigeria before the 2015 Presidential elections, with plans to "soak innocent 'dogs and baboons' in blood" if Buhari did not win? The admission from the repentant bandit supports claims made by former All Progressives Congress chieftain, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje.
As if the revelations by the repentant bandit were not enough, his words were corroborated by one of the released travelers, abducted by bandits in Niger state. Upon their release, one of the freed women gave an interview to Channels TV right there at the Niger State Government House. The woman reported that their captors confessed to taking up arms because government promises had not been fulfilled. One bandit leader, Kachala Ali, told hostages that they turned to banditry after being abandoned. Such testimonies suggest informal assurances of amnesty, money, or settlement were made but never honoured.
These two occurrences (Baraje's statement and the repentant bandit's admission video), plus the statement made by Sheikh Gumi, where he was surreptitiously recorded telling active bandits that Christian soldiers are the ones killing Muslims just to "ignite a crisis", and the usually garrulous Buhari Presidency remained silent all through.
Nigeria's insecurity cannot be divorced from its history. Statements attributed to northern leaders reveal a long-standing ideological project. As Nigerians, there are certain quotes and statements we must enshrine and entrench in our spirits, minds, and souls, and never forget if we really want to know where we are coming from, where we are today, and where we will be tomorrow.
In 1804, Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio, the father and founder of the Fulani Caliphate, said, "I have been given the sword of truth to defeat and conquer the enemies of Allah. I will establish the Caliphate to rule over all, and Sokoto shall be its capital. It is either the pagans and unbelievers accept Sharia and the Koran, or they accept the sword".
In 1948, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, a man who later became the Prime Minister of Nigeria, said, "Since 1914, the British Government has been trying to make Nigeria into one country, but the Nigerian people themselves are historically different in their backgrounds, in their religious beliefs and customs and do not show themselves any sign of willingness to unite. Nigerian unity is only a British intention for the country".
In 1957, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Saduana of Sokoto and the Premier of Northern Nigeria, said, "We the people of the north will continue our stated intention to conquer the south and to dip the Koran in the Atlantic Ocean after the British leave our shores".
In 1961, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Saduana of Sokoto and the Premier of the Northern Region, said, "The new nation called Nigeria should be an estate of our great grandfather Othman Dan Fodio. We must ruthlessly prevent a change of power. We must use the minorities in the North as willing tools and the South as a conquered territory and never allow them to rule over us and never allow them to have control over their future". In 1963, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Saduana of Sokoto and the Premier of the Northern Region, said, "I would rather employ a foreigner in the northern civil service than employ an Igbo. Igbos tend always to want to dominate others wherever they go, and we do not want that in the north".
In 1987, Sheikh Abubakar Gumi, Leader of the Sunni Muslim Izala sect, said, "No Christian will ever rule Nigeria again unless it is over my dead body". In 1992, Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki, the Sultan of Sokoto, said, "This country was given to us northerners by the British to rule. When they left, the understanding between us was that the North would always lead and rule Nigeria".
In 2001, General Muhammadu Buhari, who had already been a military Head of State and who was to become later President of Nigeria, said, "I will continue to show openly and inside me the total commitment to the Sharia movement that is sweeping all over Nigeria. God-willing, we will not stop the agitation for the total implementation of the Sharia all over the country", and again, he said
"Muslims should only vote for Muslims and those who will defend their faith". "Why are your (Yoruba) people killing my (Fulani) people?"
In 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari, who was once a military Head of State, said, "The Fulani herdsmen are Nigerians and have a right to be here. They carry sticks and not dangerous weapons. If you want peace, give them your land". "Boko Haram are our misguided brothers". "An attack on Boko Haram is an attack on the north".
In 2014, Sheikh Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram, said, "By Allah, we will not stop fighting until every Nigerian abides by sharia law. If you don't abide, we will kill you".
In 2019, Alhaji Abdullahi Bodejo, President of Miyetti Allah and Leader of the Fulani herdsmen, said, "You are a Governor, and you want to enjoy peace in your state, you don't need any long meeting, just create a particular area for the Fulani and equip them with modern facilities".
Today, what can we make of all these, and where are we? The quotes and statements are self-evident, and each has been the subject of intense debate and intellectual discourse over the years. Recently, Mr. Obinna Nwachukwu of 'The Business Day' newspaper, dated 2nd August 2022, exhumed Alhaji Kawu Baraje's statement. "How we brought in Fulani militias from Mali, Sierra Leone, Senegal and other countries to win the 2015 election.”
Nevertheless, the quest for truth and the bitter struggle for the emancipation of our people must continue regardless of the price. Late Buhari's regime brought chaos, destruction, and escalated the killing of Nigerian Christians to date. As the Northern Fulani cohorts continued their mission of the total Islamization of Nigeria, the present government under President Bola Tinubu has turned a blind eye while Christian genocide rages across the country because he is an Islamic faithful.
Conclusion
The testimonies of Baraje, repentant bandits, abductees, and clerics, combined with historical declarations, paint a troubling picture: Nigeria's insecurity is not accidental but the product of political bargains, ideological ambitions, and broken promises. If Nigerians are to secure their future, they must remember these words, confront uncomfortable truths, and demand accountability from leaders—past and present.
Written by
Onyebuchi Asiegbu
For
Imo State Media Team
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