The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to issue a directive to security agencies to provide effective protection for pastoralist communities across the country.
The call was made by the National Secretary-General of MACBAN, Bello Gotomo, in a statement released to the press on Thursday.
Gotomo urged the Federal Government to put an end to what he described as widespread discriminatory practices targeting herders, which he said have left pastoralist communities vulnerable to violence and marginalization.
He also stressed the urgent need for the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to implement concrete strategies to counter what MACBAN alleges is growing ethnic profiling, stigmatisation, and scapegoating of pastoralists in national discourse and security operations.
“Pastoralists deserve equal protection under the law like every other Nigerian citizen,” Gotomo stated. “We are calling for immediate action from the highest level of government to ensure that security agencies prioritize the safety and welfare of our communities.”
MACBAN’s appeal comes amid ongoing national debates around security, farmer-herder conflicts, and efforts to reform Nigeria’s livestock and grazing policies. The association says a presidential order would help prevent further attacks and build trust between pastoralist communities and government institutions.
