Miyetti Allah’s Shocking Rejection of US Sanctions

In a dramatic move that has intensified a major international dispute, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) is formally challenging the United States Congress, demanding its removal from a proposed sanctions list that treats it as a violent militia. The group’s president, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, held a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, calling the allegations “misleading and incomplete” and defending the association’s lawful status .

This confrontation stems from a U.S. House Resolution, spearheaded by Congressman Christopher Smith, which recommends severe measures against entities accused of violating religious freedom in Nigeria. The resolution proposes designating MACBAN, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and “Fulani-Ethnic Militias” as “Entities of Particular Concern,” placing them on a list that includes globally recognized terrorist organizations like Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa . If passed, the bill would empower U.S. authorities to impose visa bans and asset freezes on individuals linked to these groups .

Ngelzarma forcefully rejected this characterization, insisting that MACBAN is a socio-cultural and economic association registered with the Nigerian government since 1986. “We are not a militia, we are not a violent organisation,” he stated, arguing that the U.S. lawmakers have blurred the line between criminal elements and the peaceful, law-abiding pastoralists his organization represents . He revealed that the association has sent a formal letter to the U.S. Congress via the American Embassy in Abuja, urging legislators to strike its name from the list .

In a stunning counter-narrative, MACBAN presented verified records showing that pastoralist communities have themselves been devastating victims of Nigeria’s insecurity. The data claims that between 2015 and 2025, over 18,600 pastoralists were killed, 1.29 million were displaced, and more than one million cattle were rustled or killed . “These figures show a community under attack, not one perpetrating violence,” Ngelzarma asserted, highlighting that several of their state leaders have been assassinated for cooperating with security agencies .

The group emphasized its long history of collaboration with Nigerian security forces and international peace-building organizations, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces, USAID, and Mercy Corps . This evidence, they contend, proves their commitment to mediation and conflict resolution, making their inclusion on a sanctions list both unfair and dangerous. They warn that this mischaracterization could inflame tensions and undermine years of delicate peace-building efforts in Nigeria’s conflict-prone regions .

As detailed in the complete version, there are several key factors to consider.

This development occurs amidst a significant hardening of the U.S. stance towards Nigeria. The controversy follows President Donald Trump’s recent redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) for severe violations of religious freedom, a label that had been removed by the Biden administration in 2021 . President Trump has threatened to cut U.S. aid and has instructed congressional leaders to investigate the alleged slaughter of Christians . A pivotal hearing on this matter, chaired by Rep. Chris Smith, is scheduled for Thursday, November 20th, to further examine the implications of Nigeria’s CPC status .

As the world watches, the outcome of this dispute holds profound consequences for Nigeria-U.S. relations and the internal stability of Africa’s most populous nation. MACBAN’s appeal is a plea for an evidence-based approach, urging international support for long-term solutions like grazing reserves and education instead of sanctions that risk further marginalizing a community that claims it is fighting for its own survival