The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria has clarified that it is not a militia, armed faction, or religious movement, but a socio-economic body engaged in legitimate trade representation.
MACBAN President, Alhaji Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, made the clarification on Sunday in Abuja during a briefing on the US House Resolution (H. Res.) 860 and related recent issues.
Othman-Ngelzarma stressed that the association does not endorse, enable, shelter, fund, or defend any form of criminality, extremism, or violence. He maintained that MACBAN “was not and has never been an armed group or violent organisation.”
He reiterated the association’s firm opposition to banditry, cattle rustling, kidnapping, terrorism, and all forms of crime. According to him, anyone involved in criminal acts—pastoralist or otherwise—acts independently “and must face the full weight of Nigerian law.”
“Our membership spans all states of the federation and contributes significantly to Nigeria’s food security, rural economy, and national Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” he said.
He added that as a non-political and non-religious organisation committed to peaceful engagement, MACBAN remains focused on advocating pastoral development, modernising livestock systems, and promoting harmony between herders and farmers through dialogue and mutual respect.
“MACBAN’s identity is founded on appreciation, service, and community development—not violence or confrontation,” he noted, stressing that any attempt to link the association to extremist or criminal networks distorts its mission and values.
Othman-Ngelzarma further pledged MACBAN’s continued support for peacebuilding and security efforts aimed at strengthening national unity.
He emphasised that criminals should not be mistaken for pastoralists and cautioned against profiling the peaceful pastoral majority due to the actions of “a few violent individuals who exploit pastoral identity.”
