Abuja, Nigeria – The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to issue a directive to security agencies, mandating them to ensure the safety and protection of pastoralist communities across the country.
The appeal was made on Friday in Abuja by the association’s National Secretary-General, Bello Gotomo, who also urged the federal government to end what he described as systemic discrimination against pastoralists.
Gotomo specifically called on the Office of the National Security Adviser to take decisive steps to address the alleged ethnic profiling, stigmatisation, and scapegoating of pastoralist groups, which he says continue to undermine their rights and security.
“The Nigerian government must ensure accountability, justice, and protection for all citizens regardless of ethnicity,” Gotomo said.
He also condemned the reported unlawful arrest and inhumane treatment of some pastoralists at Opere Market in Kabba Local Government Area of Kogi State. According to MACBAN, the incident reflects a broader pattern of hostility and unfair treatment towards herders across parts of the country.
“Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria calls on the Federal Government, the National Human Rights Commission, and the international community to urgently intervene,” he added.
MACBAN’s latest statement underscores growing concerns among pastoralist communities over security challenges and perceived marginalisation, amid ongoing national discussions on ethnic relations, land use, and rural development.
