The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria has condemned the recently introduced United States House Resolution 860, accusing the Congress of mischaracterising pastoralists and failing to acknowledge the decades-long suffering they have endured.
In a press briefing on Sunday, MACBAN President Baba Ngelzarma urged the US to revise the resolution, which seeks to impose sanctions on the association — including visa bans and asset freezes — on individuals and groups allegedly implicated in religious persecution.
The association said the resolution overlooks the fact that pastoralists have been among the most heavily victimised groups in Nigeria’s rural conflicts.
MACBAN’s reaction follows the introduction of H.Res. 860 in the 119th US Congress by Rep. Christopher Smith, with co-sponsor Rep. Bill Huizenga.
The resolution calls for restrictive measures, including visa bans and asset freezes, against MACBAN and other Fulani-led organisations, according to the US Congress website.
It further recommends listing “Fulani-Ethnic Militias” from states such as Benue and Plateau on the “Entities of Particular Concern” list under the International Religious Freedom Act.
However, the association denied any links to terrorist organisations while condemning all acts of terrorism in the country.
“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.
“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,” MACBAN president said.
Ngelzarma insisted that rural insecurity in Nigeria affects pastoralists as well, stating that thousands had been killed between 2015 and 2025 by cattle rustlers, bandits, armed vigilantes, militias, and extremist groups.
“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.
“These losses represent not only human tragedy but also a massive blow to Nigeria’s livestock economy and national food systems,” MACBAN stated.
The association urged US and international stakeholders to consider these “human and economic losses” when assessing the pastoralist community.
MACBAN also highlighted targeted assassinations, noting that several officials who cooperated with security agencies to expose criminal networks have been killed — including the chairmen of its Nasarawa, Katsina, Kogi, and Plateau State branches — or threatened for refusing to shield criminals.
The president also said that the National Vice President (I), Eng. Munnir Atiku Lamido has reportedly been missing without a trace since June 2023 while travelling from Katsina to Kaduna.
The association warned that conflating the entire pastoralist community with criminal actors reflects a misunderstanding that could fuel further stigmatisation.
MACBAN called for engagement by the U.S. Congress with “credible local actors — including pastoralists, farmers, civil society, and security agencies — in conducting assessments.”
The group further urged evidence-based evaluation that accounts for the humanitarian toll on pastoral communities and recommended long-term investment in pastoralist infrastructure, including grazing reserves, veterinary services, water access, healthcare, and education.
“We do not seek protection because we are violent; we ask for support because we are under threat,” MACBAN said, reiterating its dedication to peace-building and unity, and urging that the pastoral majority not be profiled because of the actions of a few criminals.
