The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria has criticised a new United States Congress resolution that seeks sanctions against the group, saying it misrepresents pastoralists and ignores years of suffering they have faced.
MACBAN President, Baba Ngelzarma, spoke during a press briefing on Sunday, urging the US to revise House Resolution 860. The resolution proposes visa bans and asset freezes for individuals and organisations accused of religious persecution, including MACBAN.
The resolution was introduced in the US Congress by Rep. Christopher Smith and co-sponsored by Rep. Bill Huizenga. It also recommends adding Fulani-ethnic militias from states such as Benue and Plateau to the Entities of Particular Concern list under the International Religious Freedom Act.
MACBAN rejected the allegations and denied any links to armed or extremist groups.
The association said, “MACBAN respectfully calls for revising H.R. 860 to remove all mention of MACBAN. We wish to state clearly and without ambiguity: MACBAN does not support, condone, harbour, finance, or protect any form of criminality, extremism, or violence.”
It added, “MACBAN is not and has never been an armed group or violent organisation. We condemn in the strongest possible terms banditry, cattle rustling, kidnapping, terrorism, or any crime whatsoever.”
The group said pastoralists have also suffered from rural violence. According to Ngelzarma, thousands of pastoralists were killed between 2015 and 2025 by cattle rustlers, bandits, militias, and vigilantes.
He said, “Verified statistics indicate that between 2015 and 2025, over 18,640 pastoralists lost their lives, 1,298,802 were displaced, 87,543 houses were destroyed, and more than 1,114,519 cattle were rustled or killed, while over 656,555 small ruminants were lost or killed in 17 states.”
MACBAN said these losses have hurt both families and the wider livestock economy, urging the US and international partners to consider the humanitarian toll on pastoralists.
The association also pointed to targeted attacks on its officials. It said several state chairmen were killed for assisting security agencies, while its National Vice President (I), Eng. Munnir Atiku Lamido, has been missing since June 2023.
MACBAN warned that linking the entire pastoralist community to criminal groups could increase stigmatisation. It urged the US Congress to engage with “credible local actors — including pastoralists, farmers, civil society, and security agencies — in conducting assessments.”
The association also called for long-term investments in grazing reserves, veterinary services, water supply, healthcare and education.
MACBAN said, “We do not seek protection because we are violent; we ask for support because we are under threat,” while restating its commitment to peace and unity.
