Miyetti Allah Denies Violence Claims, Seeks Intervention on US Bill

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has strongly rejected allegations linking it to terrorism, banditry, or cattle rustling. The group’s president, Alhaji Baba Ngelzarma, said the association has always operated legally and peacefully, and warned that the accusations are false and damaging.

The controversy comes after a bill in the United States Congress proposed sanctions against individuals and organisations accused of violating religious freedoms. MACBAN’s name has reportedly been included among those targeted, prompting the association to speak out against the perceived misrepresentation.

Ngelzarma stressed that MACBAN has been a legally registered organisation since 1986, with democratically elected leaders at national, state, and local levels. He cautioned that including the association in such international sanctions could negatively affect Nigeria’s economy and the livelihoods of pastoralist communities.

The group called on Nigerian lawmakers and diplomats to engage with their US counterparts to review the bill. MACBAN also appealed to the media for responsible reporting and reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful coexistence, livestock development, and national unity.