Hausa youths decry killings, rape, destruction of homes in Nasarawa

A youth group identified as Hausa Zalla has reportedly held a meeting in Keffi, Nasarawa State, issuing a strong warning against what it described as persistent attacks, killings and other alleged atrocities targeting Hausa communities across parts of northern Nigeria.

The meeting, reportedly held in Keffi on Monday, followed similar gatherings said to have taken place in Katsina, Kano, Lagos and Lafia, as the group seeks to mobilise young people around growing concerns over insecurity and violence affecting communities in the region.

In a statement attributed to the activists, the group accused armed Fulani militias of carrying out what it described as “genocidal attacks” against Hausa communities and demanded an immediate end to the alleged violence.

The group issued what it called an ultimatum to the perpetrators, warning that continued attacks could trigger a stronger collective response from Hausa youths.

The activists also declared that no group should assume a monopoly over violence or terror, while calling for an end to attacks against civilians.

The statement comes amid continuing concerns over banditry, communal violence, kidnapping and attacks on rural communities across several states in northern Nigeria.

The group alleged that Hausa communities had suffered killings, sexual violence, destruction of homes and restrictions on access to farmland. It further accused armed groups of imposing levies or taxes on farmers before allowing them to access their farms.

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However, the allegations contained in the statement could not independently be verified, and the identity and organisational structure of the group behind the Keffi meeting could not immediately be established.

The increasingly confrontational rhetoric has raised concerns among observers about the possibility of retaliatory violence if grievances are not addressed through lawful security and political channels.

The activists’ remarks also reflect growing frustration among sections of northern communities over the government’s handling of insecurity, particularly in rural areas where residents have repeatedly complained about attacks and displacement.

The group argued that communities subjected to repeated violence should not be expected to remain passive, while emphasising the need for collective action.

However, calls for “annihilation” or retaliatory attacks against an ethnic group could deepen existing tensions and create the risk of further communal violence. Security experts and community leaders have repeatedly warned against responding to attacks by targeting entire ethnic or religious communities.

The development is also significant because of the sensitivity surrounding the term “Hausa-Fulani,” which is often used broadly to describe northern Nigerian communities despite the distinct ethnic identities of Hausa and Fulani populations.

The activists’ position suggests a growing rejection of that collective identity among some Hausa youths who believe that their communities have suffered violence allegedly perpetrated by armed Fulani elements.

For authorities, the emerging mobilisation presents a dual challenge: addressing the legitimate security concerns and grievances of affected communities while preventing inflammatory rhetoric from escalating into reprisals.

The Federal Government and security agencies have yet to publicly respond specifically to the Keffi meeting or the ultimatum attributed to the activists.

As insecurity continues to affect communities across northern Nigeria, the latest development underscores the urgency of improving civilian protection, investigating allegations of atrocities and ensuring that perpetrators of violence are prosecuted, regardless of their ethnic or political affiliation.