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“Not every Fulani is a bandit” – Portable condemns ethnic profiling amid insecurity concerns
Controversial Nigerian singer Portable has weighed in on the ongoing national conversation around insecurity, urging Nigerians to stop linking criminal activity to any particular ethnic group.
The singer reacted to what he described as a growing trend of stereotyping, where individuals are judged based on appearance, dress, or perceived ethnic identity rather than actual involvement in crime.
According to him, such generalizations unfairly target innocent people and risk deepening divisions across the country.
“Please, let’s stop making mistakes by labelling all Fulani as bandits. Me, I am not included. Because you see a squad of Fulani inside a bus, you will just conclude that they are bandits. They are not bandits.”
He continued by stressing that people from different backgrounds live and work across Nigeria, and that assumptions based on ethnicity can be misleading.
“Some are Hausa, some are their families, Fulani. Some are rearing cows, some sell pepper, and others are into business,” he said.
Portable further noted that Nigeria’s diversity means people from all major ethnic groups can be found across different regions, working in various professions and coexisting in everyday life.
He explained that insecurity should be addressed by focusing on individuals who commit crimes, rather than profiling entire communities or groups.
“Let’s fight bandits. Let’s face bandits. It’s not about beating anyone you see that looks like Fulani. No. They can be dressing like them. Yoruba is among them, Igbo is among them, Hausa is among them, Fulani is among them. All tribes are among them,” he added.
His remarks have since sparked mixed reactions online, with some users agreeing with his call for unity and caution against ethnic profiling, while others argued that the realities of insecurity make the conversation more complex.
The debate continues as conversations around crime, identity, and national security remain sensitive topics across Nigeria.
Watch the video below:
“Some are not b*nd!ts. Let’s not make mistake” — Portable cautions Nigerians against wrongly labeling and att@cking innocent northerners. pic.twitter.com/946GrX85Nh
— YabaLeftOnline (@yabaleftonline) June 4, 2026