‘We Don’t Sponsor Violence’ – Miyetti Allah Reacts To US Sanction, Denies Attacks On Christians

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has denied allegations linking it to attacks on Christians in Nigeria, insisting that its primary mission is to protect the interests of herders across the country.

The association’s National President, Baba Othman Ngenzarma, made the clarification in an interview with BBC Hausa, where he described the group as inclusive and not driven by religious or ethnic bias.

Responding to allegations of religiously motivated violence, Baba Othman said MACBAN accommodates members from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds.

“In our organization, there is no religion or ethnic group that is excluded. We have Hausas, Yorubas, Igbos, and followers of both Islam and Christianity,” he said.

He maintained that the association should not be portrayed as a sectarian body, stressing that it represents herders irrespective of tribe or faith.

Last month, the United States (US) reportedly listed MACBAN among organisations under review for possible sanctions over alleged involvement in attacks on Christians.

But Baba Othman expressed surprise at the development.

“We do not carry weapons, and we have never sponsored any attacks. The government has never charged us with any crime,” he stated.

US lawmakers Riley Moore and Chris Smith had presented a resolution referencing a committee report, which stated that Christians in Nigeria “have long been subjected to discrimination and violence.”

The resolution reportedly urged sanctions on MACBAN, other groups, and some Nigerians, including travel bans and asset freezes.

Baba Othman argued that the actions of a few individuals should not be used to judge the entire association.

“You may find wrongdoers among police officers or soldiers, but that does not mean the whole institution is corrupt,” he said.

He added that MACBAN is only one of several herders’ associations in Nigeria and that not all herders or Fulani belong to the group.

The MACBAN president also disclosed that the association works closely with Nigerian security agencies and foreign missions, providing information to demonstrate its cooperation in addressing security challenges.

“We shared detailed information on members killed due to security challenges, including names, dates, and photos,” he said.

On the root causes of herder-related clashes in Nigeria, Baba Othman insisted that the conflicts are largely driven by land disputes rather than religious or ethnic animosity.

“Disputes arise over land use, not faith or tribe,” he said, attributing the tensions to desertification and increasing competition for farmland.

He maintained that environmental pressures and shrinking grazing routes have intensified disputes between herders and farming communities, urging stakeholders to address the underlying causes rather than frame the crisis along religious lines.