The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has strongly rejected attempts to link the group to terrorism, warning that a proposed U.S. bill could trigger diplomatic tensions and damage Nigeria’s economy.
In a statement obtained by SaharaReporters on Monday, MACBAN National President, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, raised concerns over H.R. 7457 — the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 — currently under consideration by the United States Congress.
MACBAN Rejects Terrorism Claims
The association described reports linking it to terrorism as “false, unfounded, and injurious,” accusing unnamed actors of spreading misleading narratives internationally.
According to the group, no court in Nigeria or abroad has ever convicted or indicted MACBAN as an organization for terrorist or criminal activities.
MACBAN also stressed that pastoralist communities themselves have suffered heavily from insecurity, including cattle rustling, bandit attacks, and killings of leaders.
The group revealed that at least eight of its state leaders were killed by criminal elements in 2025 alone, insisting this proves they are victims rather than perpetrators of violence.
Fears Over Economic, Diplomatic Fallout
MACBAN warned that if the U.S. bill results in blacklisting or sanctions, it could disrupt Nigeria’s livestock sector and rural economy.
The association is now urging Nigeria’s National Assembly to intervene, calling on Senate committees on foreign affairs and national security to pass a resolution affirming its legitimacy.
It specifically appealed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and lawmakers to act swiftly to protect Nigeria’s global image.
Call For Federal Government Action
MACBAN also called for urgent diplomatic engagement by the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The group urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the National Security Adviser, headed by Nuhu Ribadu, to open dialogue with U.S. authorities to correct what it described as “erroneous narratives.”
MACBAN warned that failure to respond could set a dangerous precedent, allowing foreign powers to target other Nigerian organizations in the future.
— SUNTV Global Channel Report
