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The Miyetti Cattle Breeder Association of God Nigeria (Macban) has condemned the new violence in the state of Benue, where dozens of people were killed and many others evacuated after attacks on the Yelewata community.
The association also calls for the end of what is described as a systemic ethnic profile and the neglect of the Fulani herds.
A statement released on Wednesday, National President Macban, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, described the murder as “unnecessary and unreasonable,” expressed sympathy to the government and the benue people, as well as all Nigerians affected by the ongoing crisis.
“We are sympathetic to the federal government, the government and people both from the state of the benue and indeed all Nigerians for unnecessary loss and unreasonable and the destruction of property caused by the new crisis battle in this state of the Benue state,” he said. “We pray for the rest of the souls of people who lose their lives and pray that God is the Almighty to quickly heal those who suffer from one form of injury or another.”
Ngelzarma, however, expressed frustration over the sustainable targeting of the Fulani community, highlighted the lack of media attention and justice for the shepherd who, he said, had suffered significant losses throughout the state.
He claimed that in West Gwer and the regional government logo alone, 44 shepherds were killed and 328 centered cows between January and December 2024. Since January 2025, violence has increased, with more than 57 Fulani herds that were allegedly killed and more than 4,348 rusty or killed cows.
“Although we cannot specify all attacks on herders in the state of Benue, we, however, will mention some,” he said. “Between September and December 2024, 12 Fulani herds were killed in the LGA State Logo of Benue. In January 2025, eight shepherds were killed in Kwande LGA from the state and 268 rusty or killed cows. On January 12, 2025, two young herds were killed by TV farmers in Guma LGA.
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Ngelzarma also condemned what he called the lack of actions against the perpetrators of the attacks on the shepherds, noting that “The most unfortunate part is that the perpetrators are not arrested not to talk about the compensated prosecutor or victim.”
He said Macban remained committed to encouraging peace coexistence throughout the diverse Nigerian ethnic landscapes but regretted the stigmatization of Fulani herds, especially in the media.
“Unfortunately, just like we try to live in peace with other Nigerians, Fulani’s cattle breeders are often isolated for ethnic profiles, dicking, mocked, and harassed,” he said. “In some cases, our members were attacked, killed and hundreds of thousands of cows were stolen and their properties were destroyed.
“The voices of most of our members are not heard because of the fact that most of them are not literate, live in areas that are difficult to reach, and have limited access or are not to the media and the internet. They lose, both humans and materials, do not get the attention of the media let alone take the headlines.”
He asked political, traditional, religious, and community leaders in Benue to reduce inflammatory rhetoric and actively promote unity between shepherd and farmers.
“We thank the President of the Tinubu Bola for his visit to the state of Benue and his bold call to political and traditional leaders in the state to embrace peace,” Ngelzarma said. “We hope that the intervention will mark the turning point in an effort to return to normal to the region.”
