Controversial Nigerian singer, Portable, has appealed to Nigerians to refrain from stereotyping the Fulani ethnic group as criminals, emphasizing that banditry and other criminal activities should not be linked to any particular tribe.
In a video message shared online, the singer expressed concern over what he described as the growing tendency to label individuals as bandits simply because they appear or dress like Fulani people.
According to him, such assumptions are unfair and dangerous, as many Fulani across the country are engaged in legitimate occupations and contribute positively to society.
Portable noted that numerous Fulani citizens earn their livelihoods through cattle rearing, trading, and other lawful businesses, stressing that ethnicity should not be used as a basis for judging a person’s character.
He further pointed out that Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups are spread across different regions of the country, with Fulani communities residing in the South-West, while Yoruba and Igbo populations also live in the northern parts of Nigeria.
“Please, let’s stop making mistakes by labelling all Fulani as bandits. Because you see a group of Fulani people inside a bus, you immediately conclude they are bandits. They are not bandits,” he said.
The singer explained that many of those often mistaken for criminals are ordinary families, traders, farmers, and business owners pursuing legitimate means of livelihood.
Portable maintained that security efforts should focus on identifying and confronting actual criminals rather than targeting innocent people based on their ethnic background or appearance.
He also argued that criminal elements can be found among all ethnic groups in the country, including Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, and Fulani communities.
“Let’s fight bandits and face the criminals. It’s not about attacking anyone because they look like Fulani. Criminals exist across all tribes. Yoruba are among them, Igbo are among them, Hausa are among them, and Fulani are among them,” he added.
His remarks come amid ongoing national conversations on insecurity, ethnic profiling, and the need for unity in addressing crime across Nigeria.