Adara 9: The Continuing Enslavement Of A People Link to Truth To Power Podcast
The Adara tribe, one of the largest ethnic groups in Kaduna State, Northwest Nigeria, predominantly inhabits Kajura and Kachia counties. Historically, they are among the most terrorized communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, suffering relentless attacks from Fulani-speaking terrorists—a violence that traces back to pre-colonial times.
Awemi Dio Maisamari, a prominent leader and cultural activist within the Adara chiefdom, sheds light on this grim history. In an exclusive interview with Ehis Agbon, Maisamari recounts the persistent terror and subjugation faced by the Adara people.
In 2019, under the administration of Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, the Kaduna State Government detained Maisamari along with eight other Adara community leaders for 104 days. The charges—allegations of incitement and disruption of public order—were widely regarded as fabricated. This incident highlights the systemic oppression faced by the Adara leadership.
Maisamari speaks candidly about the harrowing tactics employed by Fulani terrorists, including rape and sexual slavery, used as instruments of terror against Adara women and girls, even targeting the wives of pastors. This methodical violence aims not only to terrorize but to break the spirit of the Adara community, further entrenching their subjugation.
“The history of Fulani, Islamic terrorization of the Adara people is a long and painful one,” Maisamari states. “The use of rape and sexual slavery against our women and girls is a weapon of terrorism designed to dominate and enslave us.”
The plight of the Adara tribe is a stark reminder of the ongoing ethnic and religious strife in Nigeria. As one of the largest tribes in Kaduna State, their continuous persecution highlights the urgent need for a resolution to the conflicts plaguing the Middle Belt region. Despite the adversities, the Adara people’s resilience and their leaders’ unwavering commitment to justice and cultural preservation stand as a testament to their enduring spirit.
This continuing crisis calls for immediate attention and action from both national and international communities to ensure the protection and freedom of the Adara people and to hold accountable those perpetuating these atrocities.
