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From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Kaduna State chapter, has said cattle breeders in the state lost more than 200,000 cattle and no fewer than 50 members to cattle rustling, banditry and other forms of insecurity between January and September 2026.
The association disclosed this on Sunday, at a press conference in Kaduna addressed by its State Chairman, Alhaji Abdulhamid Musa, spokesman Ibrahim Bayero Zango and other officials.
According to MACBAN, the losses had pushed several pastoralist families into severe economic hardship, with some losing their entire means of livelihood.
“From January to this September, over 200,000 cows have been lost,” the association said, adding that “none were recovered out of this figure” at the time of the briefing.
The association said the killings of its members occurred through different forms of insecurity, including communal clashes, attacks by farmers and killings by bandits during cattle-rustling operations.
“The killings are into two. Some are communal clashes, some are attacks by farmers, some are being killed by bandits in the process of rustling their cows,” MACBAN said.
“Roughly, we can say we lost over 50 people from January to today,” it added.
MACBAN said cattle rustling remained a major threat to the survival of thousands of pastoralists across Kaduna State, particularly in areas including Kachia, Chikun, Kagarko, Giwa, Igabi, Jama’a, Kaura, Sanga, Jaba, Kudan, Makarfi, Lere, Zangon-Kataf and Kauru.
“For many cattle breeders, cattle are not only commercial assets. They represent means of sustainable survival to many generations,” the association said.
“The loss of a herd of cattle can therefore push an entire community into severe economic hardship.”
The group said some affected families had completely lost their means of livelihood, while others had been forced to abandon areas where they previously conducted legitimate economic activities.
It urged the Kaduna State Government and security agencies to treat cattle rustling as a serious security and economic threat and ensure the protection of all law-abiding citizens, irrespective of their occupation.
The association also raised concerns over the recently opened Rijana livestock market in Kachia Local Government Area, located about 48 kilometres along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway.
MACBAN said it was concerned about reports and allegations that livestock suspected to have been obtained through criminal means could be finding their way into the market.
The association, however, stressed that it was not accusing all traders or livestock owners operating in the market of criminality.
“We are not accusing every trader, livestock owner or participant in the market of involvement in criminal activity,” it said.
“Rather, our concern is that the authorities should thoroughly investigate activities in and around the market to ensure that it does not become a safe haven, transit point or commercial outlet for stolen livestock or other criminal networks.”
It called for stronger regulation of the market, proper identification and documentation of livestock, verification of traders and buyers where necessary, and greater collaboration between market authorities, livestock associations and security agencies.
“Any individual found to be involved in cattle rustling, trafficking of stolen livestock or any other criminal activity should face the full weight of the law,” MACBAN said.
The association called on the Kaduna State Government to strengthen collaboration with the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Defence and other relevant security agencies to conduct intelligence-led operations in forests and other areas identified as hotspots for cattle rustling and related criminal activities.
It also appealed for improved security presence along major livestock routes and in vulnerable rural communities.
MACBAN further called for greater efforts to recover and return stolen livestock to their legitimate owners whenever such animals were found.
“There should be an effective mechanism through which victims can report stolen livestock and provide evidence of ownership, including identifying marks and other available traditional methods and documentation,” the association said.
“We believe that recovered livestock should not be allowed to disappear into the system or be resold without proper verification.”
The group also asked the state government to establish a standing or ad-hoc livestock-loss and victims’ assessment committee to document and verify the number of animals lost, families affected and lives lost as a result of cattle rustling, banditry and related insecurity.
It appealed for government intervention or compensation for genuinely verified victims to enable affected families rebuild their livelihoods.
Despite its concerns, MACBAN commended the administration of Governor Uba Sani for what it described as efforts to sustain peace and security in the state since assuming office in 2023.
The association specifically acknowledged the government’s efforts through the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, as well as the provision and rehabilitation of rural road networks linking farming and livestock-producing communities.
It also commended the state government for strengthening and reorganising the Kaduna State Livestock Regulatory Agency and for its broader interventions in agriculture and livestock development.
“As an association whose members depend almost entirely on livestock production for their livelihoods, we believe that a vibrant agricultural economy must include the protection and development of the livestock sector alongside crop production,” MACBAN said.
The association also called for stronger security collaboration at the local government level, improved intelligence gathering and community-based information-sharing mechanisms involving security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders.
MACBAN appealed to the government to continue promoting dialogue and peaceful coexistence between farmers and pastoralists.
It said it was ready to work with the government, farmers’ organisations, traditional institutions and security agencies towards sustainable solutions to insecurity and recurring conflicts.
The association also declared that it condemned cattle rustling, banditry, kidnapping, killings and every other form of criminality.
“Our position is simple: anyone who steals livestock, kills innocent people, kidnaps citizens or engages in any other criminal activity should be identified and prosecuted according to the law,” it said.
“At the same time, innocent livestock owners and law-abiding pastoral families should not be collectively profiled because of the actions of criminals.”
MACBAN urged its members to remain calm, law-abiding and cooperative with constituted authorities, while continuing to support peaceful coexistence with neighbouring communities.
The association said its Kaduna State chapter remained committed to “peace, lawful livestock production and breeding, economic development and peaceful coexistence among all communities in Kaduna State.”
