The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has called on President Bola Tinubu to issue a presidential directive compelling security agencies to provide stronger protection for herding communities across the country.
In a statement released Friday, MACBAN’s National Secretary-General, Bello Gotomo, urged the federal government to address what the association described as persistent discrimination, ethnic profiling, and mistreatment of pastoralists in Nigeria.
“The Nigerian government must ensure accountability, justice, and protection for all citizens regardless of ethnicity,” Gotomo said, stressing the need for the National Security Adviser to implement effective safeguards for the pastoralist population.
He specifically cited recent alleged incidents of unlawful arrests and inhumane treatment of herders at Opere Market in Kabba Local Government Area, describing the events as part of a growing trend of injustice.
MACBAN also appealed to the National Human Rights Commission and international bodies to intervene, highlighting ongoing grievances about ethnic scapegoating of Fulani herders in connection with national security issues.
The group’s call comes amid rising tensions in several states, including Ondo, where armed herdsmen have been accused of contributing to violence, kidnapping, and the destruction of farmlands. While security challenges persist nationwide, the debate around the role of pastoralist communities has
