MACBAN Denies Bandits Link, Appeals to US Congress
Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) held a news conference in Abuja to reject allegations of involvement in banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, or cattle rustling. National President Baba Ngelzarma stated no Nigerian or foreign court has ever convicted or indicted the association for criminal activity. He emphasized MACBAN's legal status as a registered corporate entity since 1986, with democratically elected executives and recognition by Nigerian governments as livestock stakeholders. Ngelzarma warned international blacklisting could cause economic losses and trade disruption, urging US Congress to correct erroneous characterizations. He appealed to Nigerian lawmakers to intervene legislatively and called for diplomatic engagement to prevent security cooperation from being based on false equivalences.