FACT CHECK: Did Niger State Governor order removal of Fulani district heads?

An X user, @timmosion, shared a video claiming that Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago announced the removal of Fulani district heads in the state. The user attributed the claim to the governor’s remarks in the video and also referenced a report by an online television platform making a similar assertion. As of the time […]

An X user, @timmosion, shared a video claiming that Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago announced the removal of Fulani district heads in the state. The user attributed the claim to the governor’s remarks in the video and also referenced a report by an online television platform making a similar assertion.

As of the time of this fact check, the post made on 22, July 2026 had recorded 86,700 views, 892 likes, 391 reposts, 198 bookmarks and 35 comments.

Why we checked

The claim gained significant traction on social media and concerns a sensitive issue involving traditional institutions and ethnic relations in Niger State. Daily Trust reviewed the governor’s actual remarks to determine whether he announced the removal of Fulani district heads.

What we found

Daily Trust transcribed the governor’s speech from Hausa into English using Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) tools and reviewed the full context of his remarks.

A review of the speech shows that Governor Bago did not announce or direct the removal of Fulani district heads in Niger State. Instead, the governor appealed to Fulani community leaders to cooperate in addressing insecurity by identifying criminal elements operating within their communities. He also spoke on the need for peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders, respect for grazing routes, responsible conduct by vigilantes, and action against clerics promoting division.

At no point in the reviewed speech did the governor state that Fulani district heads should be removed.

What the governor actually said:

The translated transcript shows the governor urging Fulani leaders to take responsibility for identifying criminal elements and to work with authorities to restore peace.

He also said farmers should avoid cultivating designated cattle routes, warned vigilantes against harassment and extortion, and cautioned against religious preaching that fuels ethnic or religious tensions.

None of these remarks included an order to abolish or remove Fulani district heads.

Local verification

Daily Trust’s correspondent in Niger State also verified the incident and gathered that the governor’s remarks have been widely misrepresented.

According to the correspondent: “What the Governor stated during his condolence visit to the Emir of Kagara was that the Fulanis should have representatives in the Emir’s palace as district heads instead of simply having the title of Seriki Fulani or Fulani leader, which is not part of the current traditional hierarchy in the Kagara Emirate.

“He urged the Emir to recognise the Fulani community by giving them a title that would allow them representation in the Emir’s palace. Where there was already a Fulani traditional leader below the rank of district head, the governor suggested upgrading that position to district head.

“He did not say Fulani district heads should be removed. Rather, he was responding to concerns about some people asking Fulanis to leave the state because land allocations were being made without government approval. The governor stressed that no one should sell land without the consent of the government.”

This explanation directly contradicts the claim circulating on social media.

Verdict: False

The viral claim that Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago ordered the removal of Fulani district heads in Niger State is false. A review of the governor’s speech, supported by local verification, shows that he made no such announcement. Rather than calling for their removal, he advocated greater traditional representation for the Fulani community within the emirate structure while urging all groups to work together to tackle insecurity and maintain peaceful coexistence.