THE leadership of Fulani herders in the state has appealed to the Emir of Muri, Alhaji Abbas Tafida, to give them five months to flush out criminal elements among them.
The emir had two weeks ago issued a 30-day ultimatum to herders to leave Taraba forests or be forced out.
The leadership of Fulani Ardos (chiefs) and community leaders from 14 out of the 16 local government areas of the state subsequently met with the emir at his palace in Jalingo on Tuesday, appealing for more time to flush out the criminal elements.
Led by the state Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Alhaji Sahabi Mahmud, the herders pleaded with the emir to help them in prayers to succeed.
In a communiqué issued yesterday at the end of the meeting which was attended by the Security Adviser to the Governor Darius Ishaku, Col. Angyu Agbu (retd.), and representative of security agencies in the state, the leaders pledged a comprehensive approach to the issue.
The communiqué reads partly, “Those who repent would be documented while those that refused to repent would be handed over to security agencies.
“We have agreed not to harbour criminals even if they are our biological children. We have sworn to an oath to expose their sponsors no matter their standing in the society.”
Meanwhile, Emir Tafida said the utlimatum he gave during Eid- el- Kabir celebration was aimed at addressing security challenges in his domain.
The communiqué quoted the Emir as saying, “As a leader who stood firmly on the side of the truth and honesty, I would never allow injustice and shield criminals.”
The Emir lamented that the image of the Fulani as a race was endangered by the criminal activities of a few among them.
On his part, Mahmoud pledged to fish out criminal elements tarnishing the image of the Fulani.
He said, “What we are going to do as captured in our communiqué is to check and fish out the bad eggs among us.”
