The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has reportedly alleged a “genocidal massacre” against its members and is demanding an investigation. The organization has often raised concerns about the killing of its members and the displacement of pastoralists in various parts of Nigeria.
While specific details of this most recent allegation are not widely reported, the group has a history of making such claims, particularly in response to conflicts with farming communities and in states with anti-open grazing laws. For example, MACBAN has previously:
- Accused a former governor of “criminal profiling” of its members and demanded an investigation.
- Insisted on the repeal of anti-open grazing laws, arguing that they lead to the death of herders.
- Claimed that hundreds of thousands of pastoralists have been displaced.
In recent efforts to address the ongoing farmer-herder crisis, Miyetti Allah has also been involved in initiatives aimed at promoting peace. The group has announced a ban on night grazing and the use of firearms by its members. Its leadership has also appealed for peace in conflict-ridden areas like Plateau State. However, such efforts have not stopped the violence entirely, and the organization continues to face security threats, as evidenced by the killing of one of its chairmen in Nasarawa State.
The current call for an investigation into a “genocidal massacre” highlights the group’s ongoing struggle with insecurity and the persistent, often violent, conflicts that have plagued parts of Nigeria.
