Miyetti Allah responds to U.S sanctions threat, denies involvement in attacks
Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association Denies Allegations of Involvement in Attacks on Christians
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has rejected accusations linking the organization to attacks on Christians, asserting that its primary mission is to advocate for the interests of herders.
In a recent interview with BBC Hausa, MACBAN National President Baba Othman Ngenzarma emphasized the organization’s diverse membership. “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 stated.
Last month, the United States government identified MACBAN as one of several entities under review for potential sanctions related to alleged involvement in attacks against Christians. Ngenzarma expressed surprise over the designation, saying, “We do not carry weapons, and we have never sponsored any attacks. The government has never charged us with any crime.”
U.S. lawmakers Riley Moore and Chris Smith recently introduced a resolution citing a committee report indicating that Christians in Nigeria have faced ongoing discrimination and violence. The measure calls for sanctions against MACBAN, as well as travel bans and asset freezes for specific individuals.
Ngenzarma pointed out that the actions of individuals should not be attributed to the organization as a whole. “You may find wrongdoers among police officers or soldiers, but that does not mean the whole institution is corrupt,” he remarked. He further clarified that MACBAN is one of many herder associations in Nigeria and that not all herders or members of the Fulani ethnic group are affiliated with it.
The MACBAN president also highlighted the organization’s cooperation with Nigerian security agencies and international missions, noting that detailed information has been shared regarding members killed in security-related incidents. “We provided names, dates, and photos of those affected,” he said.
According to Ngenzarma, conflicts involving herders in Nigeria primarily stem from land disputes rather than religious or ethnic differences. He identified desertification and competition for farmland as the significant factors driving these disputes. “Disputes arise over land use, not faith or tribe,” he concluded.
