The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has vehemently rejected the recent decision by the United States Congress to designate the association as a terrorist organisation.
In an exclusive interview with *Daily Sun* on Wednesday, Baba Othman, president of MACBAN, expressed surprise and strong condemnation over what he described as a baseless and unfair characterization of the group.
“I read the report earlier in the day and was shocked to see such an unfair and unfounded accusation from the US lawmakers,” Othman stated. “MACBAN is an organisation that has been in existence in Nigeria for 42 years, operating legitimately and without any involvement in criminal activities or terrorism. To brand us as a terrorist organisation is simply unacceptable and contrary to our values and history.”
Othman highlighted that MACBAN serves as the sole umbrella body for herders across Nigeria, transcending religion, ethnicity, and political affiliations. “For over four decades, we have provided support and protection to registered herders nationwide. At no point has MACBAN been linked to criminal or terrorist activities. Thus, the US government’s decision is not only baffling but damaging.”
The US Congress’s designation of MACBAN follows reports aimed at urging President Bola Tinubu’s administration to intensify efforts to curb escalating violence and targeted killings, especially those involving religious minorities in northern Nigeria. The congressional resolution called for sanctions—including visa bans and asset freezes—against individuals such as former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and MACBAN members, accusing them of alleged involvement in persecution and massacres of Christians.
Othman dismissed the sanctions and pledges to pursue diplomatic avenues to overturn the designation. “While we do not intend to engage directly with the US government, we will formally approach the Nigerian Federal Government for protection and intervention. We have operated within the law, paid all due taxes, and contributed to our nation for decades. It is the duty of the Federal Government to safeguard its citizens and their reputations from such harmful external decisions.”
He warned that the US designation could have severe repercussions on MACBAN’s reputation and businesses, potentially jeopardizing the livelihoods of thousands of herders nationwide.
The US lawmakers additionally called on the State Department and Treasury to enforce measures under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, targeting individuals and entities implicated in severe human rights abuses in Nigeria.
MACBAN’s rejection reflects growing tensions amid rising security challenges in Nigeria, where conflicts between herders and farming communities have escalated over recent years, often entangled with ethnic and religious fault lines.
