The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has refuted allegations linking the group to attacks on Christians, stressing that its core mandate is to safeguard the interests of herders nationwide.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, MACBAN’s National President, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, described the association as inclusive and not motivated by religious or ethnic considerations.
Addressing claims of religiously driven violence, he said the organisation comprises members from various ethnic groups and faiths, including Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo, as well as adherents of Islam and Christianity.
He insisted MACBAN should not be portrayed as a sectarian body, noting that it represents herders regardless of tribe or religion.
Reports last month indicated that the United States was reviewing MACBAN and other entities for possible sanctions over alleged involvement in attacks on Christians.
Reacting to the development, Baba Othman expressed surprise, stating that the association neither bears arms nor sponsors violence and has never been prosecuted for any crime.
The proposed sanctions reportedly followed a resolution introduced by U.S. lawmakers Riley Moore and Chris Smith, which cited concerns about discrimination and violence against Christians in Nigeria. The resolution recommended measures including travel restrictions and asset freezes on identified groups and individuals.
Baba Othman argued that the alleged misconduct of a few individuals should not be used to indict an entire organisation, drawing parallels with isolated wrongdoing within other institutions.
He further clarified that MACBAN is just one of several herders’ associations in Nigeria and that not all Fulani or herders are members of the group.
According to him, the association collaborates with Nigerian security agencies and foreign missions, sharing detailed information about members affected by insecurity as part of efforts to address the crisis.
On the recurring clashes involving herders, Baba Othman attributed the conflicts primarily to land-use disputes rather than religious or ethnic hostility. He cited desertification and shrinking grazing routes as key factors intensifying competition over farmland.
He urged stakeholders to focus on tackling environmental and resource-based challenges instead of framing the crisis along religious lines.