12 hours ago
2
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, has rejected alleged moves by United States lawmakers to impose sanctions on the association, insisting it is a peaceful and law-abiding organisation.
Speaking in an interview with Trust TV, MACBAN National President, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, said there was no justification for the US Congress to consider designating the herders’ umbrella body as a terrorist organisation.
Ngelzarma said the association received the development with shock, noting that its representatives had previously engaged with officials at the US Embassy in Nigeria.
“We received the news with the greatest shock because we don’t know what the association has done to deserve such a sanction,” he said.
He explained that MACBAN was established 42 years ago as a non-violent and non-religious trade association to protect the interests of cattle breeders across the country, regardless of religion or ethnicity.
According to him, the association is a democratic pastoralist group whose leadership emerges through elections.
Ngelzarma maintained that MACBAN is neither armed nor involved in criminal activities, stressing that it has never taken responsibility for any crime or supported criminality.
He added that the association has been collaborating with security agencies to combat crime, noting that several of its leaders have lost their lives in the process.
“As a result of this cooperation, many leaders of the association have lost their lives. So, we are really surprised that this association is still being considered for sanction,” he said.
The MACBAN president further stated that the group operates openly, with offices in all 36 states and across local government areas, and works with government authorities at the state, local and federal levels.
He called on President Bola Tinubu to protect members of the association from what he described as an existential threat.
‘We’re in shock over US Congress profiling’ – Miyetti Allah denies terrorism links
