JUST IN: Miyetti Allah reacts to US Terror Allegations, Issues Strong Warning
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has dismissed allegations linking the group to terrorism and mass violence, insisting that such claims are unfounded and damaging to its reputation.
National President of the association, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, stated this on Sunday while addressing journalists in reaction to discussions surrounding a proposed United States bill, H.R. 7457 — the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 — currently before the U.S. Congress.
Ngelzarma said MACBAN respects the sovereign right of the United States to debate issues related to religious freedom and human rights but expressed concern over narratives that allegedly portray the association as a violent organisation.
He maintained that MACBAN is a legally registered body established in 1986 under Nigerian law and has operated openly for decades with elected national, state and local leadership structures. According to him, the association is recognised by both federal and state governments as a stakeholder in livestock development, pastoral welfare and conflict mediation.
The group warned that any attempt to blacklist or stigmatise legitimate organisations could trigger economic losses, disrupt trade and further marginalise pastoral communities that play a major role in Nigeria’s livestock sector and rural economy.
Reiterating its objectives, MACBAN said its activities focus on improving pastoral welfare, promoting modern livestock practices, fostering peaceful coexistence with host communities and supporting security agencies in conflict prevention.
Ngelzarma stressed that the association has never supported banditry, terrorism, kidnapping or cattle rustling, adding that no court in Nigeria or abroad has indicted MACBAN as an organisation involved in terrorist activities. He argued that it would be unjust to attribute the actions of criminal individuals to a registered association.
The group also said pastoralists have suffered heavily from insecurity, citing attacks by armed groups and bandits that have led to displacement, cattle rustling and the killing of leaders. It claimed that at least eight of its state leaders were killed by criminal elements in 2025.
According to MACBAN, it has collaborated with security agencies through intelligence sharing, mediation efforts and participation in technical committees on grazing reforms and livestock identification systems.
The association called on the Senate Committees on Foreign Affairs and National Security to adopt a resolution clarifying the legislature’s position on what it described as misleading international narratives. It also urged the National Assembly to engage U.S. lawmakers through parliamentary diplomacy.
MACBAN further appealed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, alongside the Office of the National Security Adviser, to initiate diplomatic engagement with American authorities to present evidence of its lawful status and compliance with Nigerian laws.
While cautioning against generalised profiling of communities, the association urged local and international media to avoid sensational reporting that could inflame tensions.
Reaffirming its commitment to national unity and peaceful coexistence, MACBAN said accountability must remain evidence-based and warned against international actions that, in its view, could undermine legitimate Nigerian institutions.
