The Middle Belt Security Crisis: Would Fulani Women And Children Living in Caves Abhor Dignified Homes?
The Oasis Reporters
April 8, 2025
While reading reports about the security crisis in Bokkos, Plateau State, it was stated in one of the posts circulating in the social media that “concerns have been raised regarding the presence of Fulani women and children reportedly sheltering in these caves and mountains, with armed Fulani youths and men observed delivering supplies”.
Such a worrisome report indicates the undignifying conditions of living for a silent majority of people: women and children do exist within the tribe.
The story of David in the Bible indicates that when the man was at the head of a raiding party in the bushes surrounding Ancient Israel, the enemy stalked his camp and not only took away his two wives, but the wives and children of his soldiers who were mainly of the tribe of Issachar.
That brought bitterness and sorrow. He may have recovered his people and property, in ordinary settings, the scenario does not always guarantee absolute security.
Human beings, either men, women and children should live dignified lives in homes with security.
Isn’t it about time for some of the Fulani bandits or terrorists who have been in the unwholesome business of kidnapping people to sell into slavery (according to the writings of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa over a hundred years ago and Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowder) which has seemingly metamorphosed into kidnapping for ransom abandoned this enterprise?
To keep women in caves in this century is not security at all.
Healthwise, it is wrong. The cold, cough and other ailments associated with such rough living is grossly unfair to them.
The best way of security is a collective one, where everyone cares for each other. Even the caves being surrounded by armed guards may not grant thorough security as the world unfortunately saw in the war between Israel and Hezbollah. Underground lifestyles in bunkers did little to protect the Hezbollah leadership in the long run.
Cooperating with one another is much more mutually beneficial to the Fulani herders and dependents as well as the indigenous Middle Belt people where a new economy can emerge. Grasses on farms can be harvested and sold to the Fulani herders who would likewise sell milk to the people that should set up milk pasteurizing companies to harness the potentials in the industry.
Displacing farmers from their communities and farms as well as killing them as it happens in Bokkos should not be allowed to degenerate into a mutually assured destruction out of anger and vengeance due to the explosive situation, for arms merchants may position themselves to be hawking newer weapons of destruction.
Security forces need to help them all build peace and new economies to the benefit of the economy, instead of hate.
