In a bid to foster peace and address rising insecurity, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, on Monday held a crucial meeting with leaders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Abuja.
The meeting, announced by the U.S. Embassy via its official X handle on Monday, focused on the challenges facing pastoralist communities and explored possible solutions to the ongoing farmer-herder conflict that has triggered protests and heightened tensions across states like Benue, Plateau, Ondo, and Ogun.
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“Today, Ambassador Mills met with the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria to hear about the concerns of herder communities,” the U.S. Embassy stated.
“The meeting included discussion of the causes of insecurity and opportunities to peacefully resolve conflict,” he said.
MACBAN leaders, during the meeting, laid bare the struggles herders face nationwide, citing insecurity, displacement, and perceived discrimination. They also presented their perspectives on pathways to lasting peace and stability.
The engagement comes at a time when MACBAN has renewed its calls for the Federal Government to ensure better protection for pastoralist communities.
Meanwhile, the association recently urged President Bola Tinubu to instruct security agencies to step up efforts in safeguarding herders.
In addition, MACBAN called for the elimination of what it termed “discriminatory practices” against pastoralists, and emphasized the need for the Office of the National Security Adviser to take firm action against ethnic profiling, stigmatization, and scapegoating of herder groups.
