Fulani Herdsman Urges FG to Block Entry of Foreign Herders, Calls Them “Weapon Smugglers”

A Fulani herdsman , whose identity remains undisclosed — has called on the federal government led by Bola Tinubu to prevent what he describes as “foreign herders” from entering Nigeria, warning that they are “smugglers of weapons” and a major source of violence.

In a statement circulating on social media, the herder urged that all incoming herders from other countries be barred, arguing that past incidents of violence, cattle rustling, and farm destruction were carried out by armed individuals who use the guise of herders to move weapons and commit crimes.

He said:

“Stop foreign herders from entering Nigeria; they are smugglers of weapons.”

The call resonates with recurring concerns among politicians, community leaders, and farmers over rising insecurity linked to armed herders operating in rural parts of Nigeria. In recent years, many have blamed some herders — especially alleged “outsiders” — for violent raids, kidnappings, and clashes with farmers. 

Supporters of the herdsman’s view argue such a ban would help curb illegal arms trafficking and reduce farmer–herder conflicts. They point to incidents where violent actors without cattle have attacked farming communities using high-powered rifles — behavior that security analysts and state governments no longer classify as traditional herding. 

On the other hand, civil-society voices caution that blanket prohibition might unfairly target legitimate herders and escalate tensions. Some security experts suggest that the root problem lies in infiltration of criminal elements — not ethnicity or herding — and recommend robust screening, disarmament campaigns, and effective regulation over indiscriminate bans. 

The issue comes amid ongoing government efforts to modernize livestock farming by promoting ranching over open grazing, a shift pushed forward recently by President Tinubu. The aim is to reduce conflicts between herders and farmers, ensure security, and better regulate livestock migration. 

As debate swirls, many Nigerians await a clearer policy direction from Abuja. The government now faces pressure from multiple angles — to protect communities from violent incursions, while also protecting the rights of legitimate herders and promoting peaceful coexistence through regulation rather than exclusion.