CNG condemns ethnic profiling, warns against rising tensions in South-West

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has condemned what it described as growing ethnic profiling and harassment of Hausa/Fulani residents in parts of the South-West, warning that such actions risk deepening national fault lines.

The group also cautioned against what it termed collective punishment and stereotyping of entire ethnic nationalities, insisting that criminal acts must not be transferred to innocent citizens.

In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, the coalition criticised an alleged ultimatum reportedly issued by Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, targeting Fulani residents in Igboho, Oyo State, following a recent kidnapping incident in the area.

The CNG also expressed concern over viral videos allegedly showing operatives of the Amotekun in Ondo State, where women identified as Hausa/Fulani residents were reportedly profiled, paraded and threatened while carrying out lawful activities.

It said the development, alongside rising insecurity across the country, reflects a troubling drift that could undermine unity if not urgently addressed by authorities.

The coalition noted that insecurity manifests differently across regions, including terrorism and banditry in the North, separatist-related violence in the South-East, cybercrime and cultism in the South-West, and oil theft in the Niger Delta, stressing that these challenges are criminal rather than ethnic in nature.

According to the group, attributing crime to ethnic identity amounts to dangerous stereotyping that could trigger wider unrest and erode trust among citizens.

It maintained that criminal responsibility is individual, urging security agencies to prioritise intelligence-led operations rather than actions that stigmatise communities.

The CNG further called on the Ondo State Government to investigate the conduct of Amotekun operatives featured in the viral clips and sanction anyone found culpable.

It also urged authorities in Igboho to ensure protection of all residents, including Fulani communities, while intensifying efforts to apprehend those behind the reported kidnapping incident.

The coalition appealed to the Federal Government to treat ethnic profiling as a national security threat requiring urgent attention, warning that unchecked tendencies could inflame tensions across regions.

It urged political leaders, traditional rulers and public commentators to exercise restraint in their remarks, insisting that Nigeria’s unity depends on fairness, justice and equal protection for all citizens.

Reaffirming its position, the group stressed that no ethnic nationality should be criminalised for the actions of a few individuals, insisting that due process and constitutional rights must be upheld at all times.