Miyetti Allah rejects Fulani–militant link

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has strongly refuted allegations that the Fulani ethnic group is connected to the thousands of armed militants and bandits operating across Nigeria. MACBAN insists that the community should not be collectively blamed for the criminal activities of a few.

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The 30,000 militants and bandits cited in the report “do not, and will never, represent the 14.5 million peaceful Fulani citizens of this country.”

This statement comes in response to a report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, which estimated that approximately 30,000 armed Fulani militants are active in Nigeria. MACBAN's National President, Baba Ngelzarma, argued that this figure is not representative of the broader Fulani population and warned against profiling an entire ethnic group. He emphasized that many Fulani pastoralists are themselves victims of insecurity, facing issues like cattle rustling, kidnappings, and retaliatory attacks.

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As MACBAN has posited in several reports and statements, law-abiding pastoralists are themselves primary victims of these criminal syndicates, routinely suffering from cattle rustling, mass abductions, and retaliatory violence.

MACBAN reiterated its commitment to supporting security agencies in their efforts to tackle insecurity. The association stated it would not protect or excuse individuals involved in criminal acts. It has directed its state and zonal chapters to enhance intelligence-sharing with security forces and traditional rulers to help identify and apprehend criminals operating in rural and border areas.

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MACBAN will not shield, make excuses for, or tolerate any individual or group engaging in violent criminality.

The association condemned terrorism, banditry, and killings, regardless of the perpetrators, and urged Nigerians to avoid ethnic profiling. MACBAN warned that generalizing criminal behavior to an entire ethnic group could escalate tensions and hinder national security efforts. They also called for government and development partners to support reforms aimed at addressing the root causes of insecurity.

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We are actively directing our zonal and state branches to formalize and deepen closed-door intelligence-sharing channels with federal security forces and local traditional rulers.