MACBAN Distances Fulani Community From Bandits

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria has distanced the Fulani community from criminal groups operating across the country, saying armed militants and bandits do not represent the millions of peaceful Fulani citizens in Nigeria.

The association was reacting to a recent report by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, which said about 30,000 armed Fulani militants are operating across Nigeria in groups ranging from 10 to 1,000 members.

The report described the militants as some of the deadliest non-state actors responsible for religious freedom violations in the country.

In a statement issued Friday, MACBAN National President Baba Ngelzarma said the estimated 30,000 militants and bandits cited in the report do not represent the 14.5 million Fulani people in Nigeria.

Ngelzarma said law-abiding pastoralists are also victims of insecurity, including cattle rustling, kidnappings and retaliatory attacks carried out by criminal groups.

He said the association would not shield individuals involved in criminal activities and pledged support for security agencies in tackling insecurity across the country.

MACBAN said it has directed its zonal and state branches to strengthen intelligence-sharing with security agencies and traditional rulers to help identify and apprehend criminal elements operating in forests and border communities.

The association also condemned terrorism, banditry and targeted killings regardless of the ethnic or religious identity of those responsible.

It warned against ethnic profiling of pastoralists, saying the collective stigmatisation of Fulani communities could undermine efforts to address insecurity and promote national unity.

MACBAN further urged the Federal Government and development partners to support livestock reforms, including ranching initiatives aimed at reducing conflicts linked to open grazing.

According to the association, lasting peace can only be achieved through justice, dialogue, security cooperation and economic reforms that address the root causes of conflict.