ON THE U.S. HOUSE RESOLUTION (H. Res.) 860 AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Nov 16, 2025 - 23:50

PRESS BRIEFING

MACBAN’S PEACE-BUILDING, SECURITY COLLABORATION, AND HUMANITARIAN LOSSES

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), the largest pastoralist organisation in Nigeria, wishes to address the Nigerian public, the international community, and particularly the United States Government including the distinguished Members of the United States Congress regarding the recently introduced U.S. House Resolution H. Res. 860.

MACBAN acknowledges the humanitarian concerns that underpin the resolution. However, some of its assertions present an incomplete and misleading picture of pastoral communities in Nigeria. We therefore find it important to request for a balanced, factual, and informed position and offer the following clarification that reflects the realities on the ground. Any international intervention—legislative or humanitarian—must be based on accurate context, not stereotypes or incomplete narratives.

1. Understanding the Name “Miyetti Allah” and MACBAN’s core Identity

The name “Miyetti Allah” is a Fulfulde expression meaning “We thank God.” It captures the pastoral values of gratitude, appreciation, humility, and peaceful coexistence. From our inception over four decades ago, MACBAN has been a socio-cultural, economic, and peace-centric organisation and we remain so till date. Therefore contrary to what is being alleged and unfortunately included in HR 860, MACBAN is not a militia, we are not an armed group, and not a religious or political movement.

We are duly registered by Nigeria’s Federal Government as livestock producers’ organization and other actors along the livestock value chain. The Association was registered in 1986 as livestock producer organization by Lt. Col. (Later General) John Nanzip Shagaya, who incidentally was a Christian from Plateau State, who was Minister of Internal Affairs in 1986. Since our establishment, we have operated within the framework of Nigerian law and under the oversight of relevant ministries and agencies.

Our membership spans all states of the federation and contributes significantly to Nigeria’s food security, rural economy, and national GDP. As a non-political, non-religious and non-violent association, our focus remains advocacy for pastoral development, modernization of livestock systems, and the peaceful coexistence of herders and farmers through dialogue and mutual respect.

MACBAN’s identity is founded on appreciation, service, and community development—not violence or confrontation. Any attempt to associate us with any extremists or criminal elements misrepresents our core objectives and values.

2. Understanding and Responding to H. Res. 860

While H. Res. 860 raises legitimate concerns about rural insecurity, some elements of the resolution contain information that is not true, not factual and complete misrepresentation of our organization.

Accordingly, MACBAN respectfully notes that:

The pastoral population in Nigeria is not a uniform armed group.

Criminals who impersonate pastoralists must not be equated with the pastoral community.

No part of MACBAN’s history, structure, or activities supports the idea of an organisation linked to violence or extremism.

3. MACBAN’s Commitment to Peace and Partnership

MACBAN has worked for decades to promote peaceful coexistence between herders and farmers. Some examples of this include our collaboration with:

Nigerian (local) organisations

Nigeria Police Force

Nigerian Armed Forces

NSCDC

National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS)

State Peace building Agencies and traditional institutions

Benue State Government in implementing the state’s anti open grazing law

International Organisations

USAID (now defunct)

Mercy Corps (CIPP Programme)

Search for Common Ground (SFCG)

Centre from Humanitarian Dialogue (HD)

Interfaith Mediation Centre

The Association has facilitated numerous dialogue platforms, strengthened early-warning systems, supported conflict mediation, and helped prevent reprisals in several security challenged communities.

These longstanding partnerships demonstrate MACBAN’s consistent and verifiable commitment to peace, contrary to the indications of H. Res. 860.

4. Human and Economic Losses Suffered by Pastoralists

Contrary to the assumptions in the resolution pointing members of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association as the alleged perpetrators, our members are among the largest victims of rural insecurity. This is contrary to narrative being pushed by a segment of the Nigerian media and society for political gains.

Thousands of our members and other Pastoralists have been killed by cattle rustlers, bandits, armed vigilante, militia and extremist groups.

Families of pastoralists have been displaced across multiple states and entire pastoral settlements have been burnt and displaced. We urge members of the US government and our revered member s of the 4th estate of the realm looking into this issue to visit Tilden Fulani in Bauchi State and several other communities hosting displaced ‘pastoralists.

Millions of naira in livestock have been stolen or destroyedMillions of lifelines have been severed

Verified statistics indicated 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 either loss 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.

5. Targeted Assassinations and Threats to MACBAN Leadership

Several MACBAN officials committed to peace building have been assassinated, especially after cooperating with security agencies to expose criminals operating within rural communities.

Among those killed include:

Alh. Mohammed Hussaini Chairman Nasarawa State Chapter

Surajo Mairana Chairman Katsina State Chapter

Idris Abubakar Chairman Kawara State Chapter

Alh. Shuaibu Suleiman Chairman Kogi State Chapter

Alh. Bello Gegu Vice Chairman Kogi State Chapter

Alh. Ibrahim Abubakar Jalido Chairman Kogi State

Muhammad Adamu Chairman Barikin Ladi LGA Plateau State

And Eng. Munnir Atiku Lamido, our National Vice President (I) has been missing without trace since June 2023 on his way from Katsina to Kaduna.

Many of our zones and states executives have continued to receive threats for refusing to shield criminals. Their sacrifices expose MACBAN’s unwavering stance against violence and criminal infiltration.

6. Strong and Unequivocal Denunciation of Criminality and Support for Peace building and Security

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.

Any individual who engages in crime—whether pastoralist or not—acts alone and must face the full weight of Nigerian law.

MACBAN will continue to support peace building and security initiatives for a harmonious and resilient Nigeria.

Criminals must not be mistaken for pastoralists, and the peaceful pastoral majority should not and must not ever be profiled because of the actions of a few violent individuals who exploit pastoral identity.

7. Appeal to the United States Congress and the International Community

MACBAN respectfully calls for:

Revising HR 860 to remove all mention of MACBAN.

Engagement with credible local actors, including pastoralist and farming groups, security agencies, and civil society partners.

Evidence-based assessments that include the humanitarian losses of pastoral communities.

Support for long-term interventions, including:

Grazing reserves and rangeland restoration

Provision and access to water and veterinary infrastructure

Education and healthcare for pastoral families

Peace building and cross-community dialogue

Nigeria’s pastoral sector is a critical part of the nation’s economy and cultural heritage. It requires support, not stigmatization.

MACBAN reaffirms its dedication to peace, justice, and national unity. We will continue to work with security agencies, development partners, and governments to address the root causes of conflict and ensure that herding and farming communities coexist in safety and mutual respect.

We urge all Nigerians and international stakeholders to stand with those who risk their lives daily—security operatives, community mediators, traditional rulers, and pastoral leaders—working tirelessly to restore peace to our nation.

~Baba Othman Ngelzarma,

President

Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN)