The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has called on the Federal Government to take immediate steps to end what it described as systemic discrimination and ethnic profiling of pastoralists across the country.
In a statement released on Friday in Abuja, the National Secretary-General of the association, Alhaji Bello Gotomo, urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to issue a directive to security agencies to provide effective protection for pastoralist communities, many of whom he said are living in fear due to recurring insecurity and targeted abuses.
“The Nigerian Government must ensure accountability, justice, and protection for all citizens regardless of ethnicity,” Gotomo stated.
“Pastoralists continue to face stigmatisation and scapegoating in their own country. This must stop.”
He expressed deep concern over what he termed the “unlawful arrest and inhuman treatment” of some pastoralists at Opere Market in Kabba Local Government Area of Kogi State. According to him, the incident highlights the growing trend of profiling and criminalising Fulani herders without due process.
“We are calling on the Federal Government, the National Human Rights Commission, and the international community to urgently intervene in these recurring violations of the rights of pastoralists,” he said.
Gotomo also stressed the need for the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to adopt proactive and inclusive security measures that protect all Nigerians, including herders, who are often neglected in security architecture.
“We believe that the NSA has a role to play in addressing the unjust treatment and profiling of pastoralist communities. What is happening today is not just about insecurity; it’s about human dignity and justice,”; he added.
The association further warned that continued neglect and marginalisation of pastoralists could escalate tensions in already fragile communities, urging government authorities to engage in constructive dialogue and policy reforms that promote peaceful coexistence.
