Miyetti Allah Responds To US Claims On Fulani Militants In Nigeria
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has strongly rejected a recent report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, which alleged that around 30,000 armed Fulani militants are operating across Nigeria. The association described the claims as misleading and warned against linking an entire ethnic group to the actions of criminal elements.
Speaking through its National President, Baba Ngelzarma, MACBAN emphasized that the reported figures do not represent the millions of peaceful Fulani citizens living and working across the country. According to the association, criminal activities should be addressed on an individual basis rather than being used to profile an entire ethnic community.
Ngelzarma argued that many Fulani pastoralists are themselves victims of insecurity. He explained that herders frequently face cattle rustling, kidnappings, attacks on their communities, and other forms of violence. This, he said, highlights the need for a balanced national conversation on insecurity rather than broad accusations.
The association also made it clear that it does not support or protect individuals involved in banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, or any other criminal activity. Instead, MACBAN pledged continued cooperation with security agencies and traditional rulers to identify and remove criminals hiding in forests and border communities.
In a move aimed at strengthening security efforts, the group disclosed that its state and zonal branches have been directed to improve intelligence-sharing mechanisms with law enforcement agencies. The initiative is expected to help authorities track criminal networks and improve safety in vulnerable rural areas.
MACBAN further called on Nigerians to avoid ethnic profiling, warning that such narratives could deepen divisions and undermine ongoing efforts to combat insecurity. The association also renewed its support for livestock sector reforms, including ranching initiatives, as a long-term solution to conflicts often associated with open grazing.
As debates over insecurity continue, the response from MACBAN adds another dimension to the national discussion, raising questions about accountability, community relations, and the search for lasting peace in Nigeria.
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