Miyetti Allah Denies Illegal Activity as US Considers Sanctions
Its president Baba Othman Ngelzarma says the group works with security agencies and has asked Tinubu for protection.
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has rejected reports that the US Congress is considering sanctions against the group, insisting it is a peaceful and law-abiding organisation.
Speaking in an interview MACBAN National President, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, said the association operates openly in all 36 states and local government areas, working closely with government authorities at federal, state, and local levels. He affirmed that MACBAN is non-violent, non-religious, and represents cattle breeders across Nigeria regardless of ethnicity or religion.
Ngelzarma explained that the association elects its leadership through democratic processes and has never engaged in criminal activity. He also pointed out that several MACBAN leaders have lost their lives while cooperating with security agencies to fight crime, reflecting the group’s commitment to lawful operations.
In response to the sanction reports, the MACBAN president called on President Bola Tinubu to protect members from what he termed an existential threat, emphasizing that the association remains focused on safeguarding the interests of Nigeria’s pastoralist communities.
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