The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has condemned the recent deadly attack on Yelewata community of Guma LGA in Benue State, calling for an end to the cycle of violence and what it described as systemic ethnic profiling of Fulani pastoralists.
In a statement released on Wednesday, MACBAN National President, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, described the violence as “needless and senseless,” while offering condolences to victims and stakeholders affected by the attacks.
“We commiserate with the Federal Government, the Government and good people of Benue State and indeed all Nigerians over the needless and senseless loss of lives and destruction of property occasioned by the recent bout of crisis in Benue State,” Ngelzarma said. “We pray for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives and pray the Almighty Allah to speedily heal those who suffered one form of injury or the other.”
LEADERSHIP reports that Saturday’s assault on Yelewata left scores of residents dead, injured, and displaced, further escalating the humanitarian crisis in the state.
But while condemning the attack, Ngelzarma used the opportunity to spotlight what he said was the long-standing suffering of Fulani herders in the state, who, he claimed, continue to be targeted and vilified for no just cause.
“Unfortunately, much as we try to live in peace with other Nigerians, Fulani cattle breeders are often isolated for ethnic profiling, stigmatised, taunted and abused,” he lamented.
He cited grim statistics, alleging that between January 2024 and December 2024, 44 Fulani pastoralists were killed and 328 cattle rustled in Gwer West and Logo local government areas. From January 2025 to date, he added, 57 herders have reportedly been killed and over 4,348 cattle stolen across Benue State.
“In several cases, our members are attacked, killed and hundreds of thousands of cattle are stolen, their properties destroyed,” Ngelzarma noted. “The voices of most of our members are not heard due to the fact that most of them are not literate, live in hard-to-reach areas, and have limited or no access to the media and the internet.”
According to MACBAN, the attacks have occurred across multiple local governments, including Logo, Kwande, Guma, Katsina Ala, Ukum, and Gwer West, with little to no accountability for the perpetrators.
“The most unfortunate part is that the perpetrators are not arrested, not to talk of being prosecuted, nor are victims compensated,” he said.
While acknowledging the President’s ongoing efforts to resolve the crisis, MACBAN praised President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to the state and his call for peace.
“We thank President Bola Tinubu for his recent visit to Benue State and his bold call on political and traditional leaders in the state to embrace peace,” Ngelzarma stated. “We hope his intervention will mark a turning point in the efforts to restore normalcy to the region.”
He urged political, religious, and community leaders in Benue State to refrain from promoting divisive rhetoric and instead foster dialogue, justice, and mutual understanding between farmers and herders.
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