The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has rejected attempts to associate the wider Fulani community with criminal groups operating across the country.
The association said the estimated 30,000 militants and bandits mentioned in a recent report by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) do not represent the 14.5 million Fulani people living peacefully in Nigeria.
MACBAN Rejects Generalisation
USCIRF had stated that about 30,000 armed Fulani militants operate in different parts of Nigeria. The report described the groups as major drivers of violence and religious freedom violations.
However, MACBAN National President, Baba Ngelzarma, said peaceful Fulani citizens should not face blame for the actions of criminal elements.
“We state categorically that the estimated 30,000 active militants and bandits cited in the USCIRF brief do not, and will never, represent the 14.5 million peaceful Fulani citizens of this country,” the statement read.
He added that many pastoralists also suffer from insecurity across rural communities.
Pastoralists Also Face Attacks
According to the association, cattle breeders remain victims of cattle rustling, kidnappings and violent reprisals.
MACBAN explained that criminal gangs often target herders and destroy livelihoods in farming and grazing communities.
The association also stressed that it would not defend or protect individuals involved in violence or organised crime.
“MACBAN will not shield, make excuses for, or tolerate any individual or group engaging in violent criminality,” the group stated.
Association Pledges Support for Security Agencies
The organisation revealed that it had instructed its branches nationwide to strengthen cooperation with security agencies and traditional rulers.
MACBAN said the move would improve intelligence gathering and help identify criminals hiding in forests and border communities.
“We pledge our full cooperation to help law enforcement detect, isolate and flush out criminal elements using our forests and borderlands as cover,” the statement added.
The association also condemned terrorism, banditry and targeted killings across Nigeria, regardless of ethnic or religious identity.
Call Against Ethnic Profiling
Furthermore, MACBAN urged Nigerians and the media to avoid ethnic profiling and collective blame.
The group warned that stigmatising pastoralists could worsen tensions and weaken efforts to restore peace.
It also called on the Federal Government and international partners to support ranching and livestock modernisation programmes.
According to the association, long-term peace depends on justice, dialogue, security cooperation and economic reforms that address the root causes of conflict.
