Brigadier General G. Shipi (rtd), the Special Adviser on Security and Homeland Safety to Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, has denied saying that Fulanis are indigenes of Plateau State. He said his words were misquoted and taken out of context.
Shipi made this clarification during a press briefing held on Friday at the Operation Rainbow headquarters in Jos. He had faced heavy backlash after reports emerged that he described the Fulani as indigenous to the state during a recent event.
However, Shipi said the reports misrepresented his comments, which were originally made in Hausa. According to him, he used the phrase ‘yan kasa’—meaning “sons of the soil”—to encourage local Fulanis to reject violence and distance themselves from foreign attackers blamed for insecurity in the state.
“I never said the Fulani are indigenes of Plateau State. The forum I attended had nothing to do with indigeneship. It is not even within the powers of my office to declare who is an indigene,” Shipi said.
He explained that the event in question was organised by Alhaji Suleiman Musa Abubakar, the Governor’s Special Assistant on Community Relations to the Fulani community. Shipi said he only advised the Fulani community to avoid being used by external elements to cause harm.
“I said that if the Fulani are claiming to be ‘yan kasa’, then they should not allow outsiders to use them to harm the people they live with,” he explained. “That statement was about promoting peace, not about identity.”
Shipi also apologised to those who may have felt offended by the reports, saying there was no intention to cause division. He called on journalists to ensure accuracy and context when reporting sensitive issues, especially in a state with fragile peace.
“I sincerely apologise to anyone who was hurt by the way this was reported,” he said. “Let us avoid spreading stories that can worsen the security situation in the state.”
The issue of indigeneship remains a sensitive topic in Plateau, where clashes between local communities and herders have led to years of violence. The state government has repeatedly called for peace and understanding among all groups.
