Press Release: 29th March 2026

In an astonishing turn of events, the Apex Igbo Sociocultural Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, is compelled to address a phenomenon that has left Ndigbo both relieved and vindicated. The sudden and remarkable decline in the activities of suspected Fulani Herdsmen militias in the Southeast region is nothing short of a miracle, one that has provided conclusive evidence that these groups were, in all likelihood, a state-sponsored terrorist arm during the administration of the late Former President Muhammadu Buhari, deployed with the sinister intent of destabilizing Southern Nigeria, particularly the Southeast.

For over six long and harrowing years, these so-called Fulani Herdsmen militias unleashed a reign of terror on the Southeast. They wantonly destroyed farmlands, turning the fertile soil of the Igbo heartland into wastelands. They occupied forests, using them as bases for their heinous acts, and callously sacked numerous villages, leaving behind a trail of destruction, grief, and displacement. The human cost of this terror is incalculable, with over 2,960 innocent Igbos losing their lives and many more sustaining injuries.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo acknowledges the significant roles played by the Federal Government and the Southeast Governors in combating the security challenges that plagued the region. However, it cannot be ignored that the most decisive factor in ending this reign of terror was the death of Former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2025. Immediately after his passing, there was a perceptible and dramatic reduction in the activities of the Fulani Herdsmen militia. This undeniable sequence of events has reaffirmed the long-held suspicions of the Igbo people that these militias were state-funded under Buhari’s watch.

The “Fulanization Agenda” promoted during Buhari’s tenure (2015–2023) was a clear manifestation of a partisan and divisive policy that eroded the trust and confidence of Ndigbo in the APC-led Federal Government. The Igbo people endured great suffering during this period, with their safety and livelihoods constantly under threat.

Thankfully, the current APC-led Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken remarkable steps to restore the trust of the Igbo people. There has been a significant improvement in security across the region. The Igbo can now sleep more soundly at night, free from the constant fear of attack that had become a norm for far too long.

It is also important to recognize the positive strides made in infrastructure development. President Tinubu’s administration has been instrumental in turning the once-dire infrastructure deficits of the Southeast into a promising landscape of growth and accessibility. The improvement in road networks and other key infrastructure projects is a testament to his commitment to the region.

As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu celebrates his 74th birthday anniversary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo would like to take this opportunity to extend heartfelt birthday wishes and express our deepest gratitude. Ndigbo remains indebted to him for bringing about a much-needed transformation in the Southeast, turning a region marred by insecurity and underdevelopment into a safe and prosperous environment.

Mazi Okechukwu ISIGUZORO
Deputy President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo

Chief Thompson Ohia
National Spokesman, Ohanaeze Ndigbo