A Fulani man identified as Usman has issued a disturbing threat against communities around Kwanji and Babanna in Borgu and Agwara Local Government Areas of Niger State, as well as communities along the Niger-Kebbi border, declaring that several towns in the area will be destroyed.
Usman made the threat in Hausa in a video seen by SaharaReporters, in which he also called on Fulani residents in the affected communities to leave the area.
In the video, Usman repeatedly invoked the name of God while warning that communities would be destroyed and residents would suffer the consequences.
He further declared that Fulani residents would no longer rely on the Miyetti Allah group or seek redress through the courts, expressing anger over what he described as the failure of the legal system to deliver justice to Fulani communities.
At the beginning of the video, Usman said: “Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we shall return.”
He subsequently claimed that his message had already been heard across Nigeria and warned Fulani groups against attempting to intervene through Miyetti Allah or through legal proceedings.
He said: “Between me and God, the whole country has heard; the whole country has heard. All Fulani, and if any group, including Miyetti Allah, ever comes out and says they should take any case to court or to the authorities, may God punish them.”
Usman also issued a direct challenge to Miyetti Allah, insisting that he was not afraid of confronting the organisation.
He called on anyone who receives the video to circulate it to government officials and prominent Fulani leaders, including the governors of Niger and Kebbi states.
“Anyone seeing this video should send it to Miyetti Allah and the government. I did not make this video for poor people. Send it to big Fulani people and the governor,” he said.
He specifically mentioned the governors of Niger and Kebbi states and urged those who see the video to ensure that the governors are informed about his warning.
“Between me and God, tell the Governor of Niger State and the Governor of Kebbi State. I swear by Allah, tell the people of Niger State. By Allah, by the One besides whom there is no god, no one will be allowed to farm in this area,” he said.
The threat escalated as Usman declared that several towns in the area would be destroyed and warned residents that they would bear the consequences.
“I have said that many places here will be destroyed. All the towns in this area will suffer, I swear. If you want to kill me, come and kill me,” he said.
“All these places will be destroyed. I am the one who said it. This place will become another ruin. This place will be destroyed, and the people will suffer. I have said it, and I stand by what I said. Whoever wants to kill me should kill me.”
Usman also appeared to reject the use of the courts as a means of resolving the grievances he referenced, questioning what he described as years of unsuccessful court proceedings involving Fulani communities.
“May Allah deal with this group. If anyone thinks this is just a matter that will be taken to court, since all these years we have been going to court, what justice has the court got for Fulani?” he asked.
He nevertheless repeated his threat against the communities, insisting that destruction would eventually occur.
“I swear to Allah, this place will eventually be destroyed,” he said.
“I have said it clearly. Whatever happens to the town, you brought it upon yourselves.”
The video and the threats contained in it are particularly disturbing given the longstanding security and communal tensions in parts of Niger State and communities bordering Kebbi State.
The affected areas have experienced disputes involving farming and pastoralist communities, including disagreements over access to farmland, land use, alleged attacks and broader insecurity.
Usman’s statements, if authentic and accurately translated, amount to a direct warning of potential violence against communities and could heighten fears among residents and farmers in the affected areas.
However, the circumstances surrounding the video, the identity of the speaker beyond the name he gave, the date and location where it was recorded, and whether the threats represent an imminent plan or reflect an individual grievance could not be independently established from the video alone.
There was also no immediate independent confirmation of any planned attack on the communities mentioned in the video.
The statements are likely to place further pressure on security agencies and authorities in Niger and Kebbi states to establish the source and credibility of the threats, identify the individual involved, and assess whether residents or farming communities face an immediate security risk.
The video also raises concerns over the growing resort to threats of violence in the resolution of communal disputes, particularly in areas where farmers and pastoralists have endured years of insecurity and mistrust.
Residents of the affected communities may now face heightened anxiety as authorities work to determine the seriousness of the threat and prevent any escalation that could result in loss of lives, destruction of property or displacement.
Chronicles Reporters could not independently verify Usman’s allegations against Fulani communities, Miyetti Allah or the courts, nor could it independently establish that the communities he mentioned are facing an imminent attack.