The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has become a branch of government, more powerful than the judiciary or parliament.
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has rejected claims linking it to banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and cattle rustling following a US bill that could impose sanctions on certain individuals and entities in Nigeria.
A bill proposed by US lawmakers calls for visa bans and asset freezes for individuals or entities accused of serious religious freedom violations in Nigeria. The list also includes former Kano governor and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) leader Rabiu Kwankwaso. Makban; Miyetti Allah Kautal Hole. and a group called the Fulani Nomadic Militia.
At a press conference on Sunday, MACBAN national president Baba Gerzarma said the association rejects any attempts to link it to terrorist or criminal activities.
“We categorically reject such insinuations as false, baseless and undermine the integrity of our duly registered national association,” he said.
Mr. Gerzalma pointed out that MACBAN was established in 1986 and operates legally with national, state and local organizations. He added that various levels of government recognized the association as a stakeholder in livestock development, pastoral welfare and conflict mediation.
“Our members contribute significantly to Nigeria’s protein supply and rural economy,” he said.
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Association claims pastoralists are victims of insecurity
Gerzarma asserted that pastoralist communities themselves suffer from insecurity, including attacks, cattle rustling, displacement, and killings.
“In 2025 alone, at least eight state leaders were killed by criminal elements. These tragedies show that we are victims of insecurity, not perpetrators.”
He warned that sanctioning legitimate organizations could disrupt trade, damage livelihoods and deepen the marginalization of pastoralist communities.
Seeking diplomatic engagement with U.S. lawmakers
Makuban called on Nigeria’s Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and National Security to intervene and correct what he called a misleading characterization.
The association also called for diplomatic engagement between Nigerian authorities and the U.S. Congress to ensure counterterrorism efforts rely on verified intelligence.
“We call for this issue to be raised in the bilateral security dialogue to ensure that counter-terrorism cooperation does not assume false equivalence,” Gerzalma said.
He added that external narratives should not undermine Nigeria’s security framework or override domestic legal processes.
