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…insists members never involved in terror acts
…seeks protection from NASS, NSA
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has said the recent designation of the Association as a terrorist organisation was erroneously done by the United States Congress.
It insisted that, perhaps, the US Congress did not consult widely, or based their judgement on “false” information that might have been provided by by some “enemies” of Nigeria or the Association who are determined to promote divisive actions along religious, ethnic and political lines.
The Association also insisted that there was no imperical evidence available to support the claim by the US Congress that the Association is/was involved in act of terror, or supporting any armed organisation in Nigeria or beyond.
MACBAN President, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, told journalists at a press conference in Abuja, on Sunday, that the crime the Association was being accused of is far from the objectives and individual goals of its members.
He said: “Our constitutional objectives have remained consistent and transparent, and it includes the promotion of pastoral welfare and economic advancement; livestock development and modernization of husbandry practices; peaceful coexistence between pastoralists and host communities; collaboration with security agencies and government institutions in conflict prevention and resolution.
“MACBAN has never condoned crime in whatever ramification. We abhor banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, cattle rustling, all forms of violent extremism and unequivocally reject all criminality. For four decades, the Association has operated openly, maintaining national, state, and local government structures across the Federation with executive officers democratically elected every four years.
“So far, no court of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria or abroad has convicted or indicted MACBAN as an organization for criminal or terrorist activity. To conflate the alleged actions of isolated criminal individuals with a registered corporate association is not only legally unjust but also dangerously simplistic.”
He stated that the Association is recognized as a legitimate stakeholder in livestock development, pastoral welfare, and conflict mediation, while its members, the pastoralists, contribute significantly to Nigeria’s protein supply and rural economy.
“Hence, any international blacklisting or stigmatization of legitimate actors risk economic loss, trade disruption, and further marginalization of vulnerable communities,” he said.
Regarding the outcome of farmers/herders crisis, MACBAN President also told journalists that pastoralists themselves have been major victims of criminality. “Armed groups and bandits have equally attacked our communities, rustled cattle, displaced families, and assassinated leaders.
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“In 2025 alone, at least eight of our state leaders were killed by criminal elements. These tragedies underscore that we are victims of insecurity, not perpetrators of it. We have consistently worked with Federal and State security agencies in intelligence sharing and lawful interventions, in mediation and peace-building platforms, in technical committees on grazing reforms and livestock modernization, in livestock identification, and in regulated grazing systems,” he added.
He appealed to the Senate Committees on Foreign Affairs; National Security and Intelligence, to consider a diplomatic resolution on the erroneous characterization of MACBAN, and to activate the Parliamentary diplomatic channels to engage the US Congress constructively on the matter.
He also called on Senate President and other National Assembly members to intervene legislatively, to safeguard the integrity of Nigerian institutions, affirming the National Assembly’s commitment to protecting registered Nigerian organizations from unjust international designation.
He said that failure to address such mischaracterization may prejudice Nigeria’s international image; embolden sanctions-based targeting of Nigerian associations; and undermine public confidence in the State’s ability to protect its lawful institutions.
The MACBAN President also urged the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to initiate urgent diplomatic engagement with relevant US authorities to correct erroneous narratives associating MACBAN with terrorism, present verifiable evidence of our lawful registration, regulatory compliance, and decades-long peace-building record and ensure Nigeria’s official position clearly distinguishes between recognized socio-cultural associations and criminal elements acting outside the law.
He recognized the strategic role of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) as head of the Nigeria Section of the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group, and respectfully requested that the matter be elevated within bilateral security dialogues to ensure that Nigeria’s counterterrorism cooperation framework is not premised on false equivalences.
He insisted that Nigeria’s security architecture must not be undermined by external narratives that disregard domestic judicial processes and lawful institutional status.
MACBAN President further stated that the Association remains unwavering in its commitment to national unity, constitutional order, peaceful coexistence, livestock sector modernization and full cooperation with Nigerian security agencies in combating criminality.
He asked the Federal Government to protect legitimate Nigerian institutions from unjust international designation, and ensure that law-abiding citizens engaged in producing the bulk of Nigeria’s animal protein are not unfairly stigmatized or economically harmed.
“Justice must be individual. Accountability must be evidence-based. And international engagement must reflect fairness, legal precision, and respect for sovereign institutions,” he said.
