Plateau Security Adviser refutes claim on Fulani indigenship

By CHRISTIANA LOT, Jos–

Special Adviser, Security, and Homeland Safety to the Plateau State Governor, Brig. Gen. G. Shipi (rtd), has refuted reports on social and conventional media alleging that he declared Fulani as indigenes of the state, insisting such a pronouncement is beyond the mandate of his office.

He made the clarification at the Operation Rainbow headquarters in Jos, describing the claims as a misrepresentation of his remarks at a public event.

“I was invited to an event organised by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Relations to the Fulani community, Alhaji Suleiman Musa Abubakar, at Sharna Hotel.

“The forum itself had nothing to do with the subject of indigenship. I was the last to speak, and before I did, several issues had already been raised. While addressing one or two of those issues, the misconception arose,” he said.

According to him, his remarks in Hausa were aimed at urging Fulani residents to distance themselves from foreign elements allegedly behind attacks in the state.

“I said that if the Fulani are claiming to be ’ yan kasa ’ (sons of the soil), then they should not accept outsiders trying to incite them to commit atrocities against their own people.
They should reject such persons and say, ‘We are sons and daughters of this place; we will not harm our own people,’” Shipi explained.

He stressed that the Hausa phrase ’ yan kasa’ was used solely to promote peace and cooperation, not as an official declaration of indigenship.

“I have my notes from that day; there is nothing in them about indigenship. Even the forum itself had nothing to do with that subject. It is not within my office to make such a declaration,” he stated.

The adviser expressed regret over the misinterpretation of his comments, apologising to those offended by the reports.

“I know many people were pained by the way this was reported, and I sincerely apologise to anyone hurt by the statement. It was not meant the way it has been interpreted,” he said.

He appealed to journalists to ensure accuracy and context when publishing sensitive information, warning that misreporting could heighten tension in the state.

“Let us present stories in their truthful context and consider whether they will do good for the society. There is no point publishing something that could cause upheaval in our fragile security situation,” Shipi added.

He urged residents to put the controversy behind them and focus on building lasting peace, stressing that “there was no intention to cause harm or disharmony.”