The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria has condemned the killing of dozens of residents in the Yelewata community of Benue State.
The community was attacked on Saturday, leaving many residents injured and displaced.
In a statement on Wednesday, MACBAN President, Baba Ngelzarma, commiserated with the Federal Government, the government and people of Benue State, describing the recent wave of violence as “needless and senseless.”
He said, “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. 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.”
Ngelzarma lamented what it described as systemic neglect of Fulani pastoralists, saying many of their members lack access to media and live in remote areas where their suffering is rarely reported or acknowledged.
He alleged that between January 2024 and December 2024, 44 herders were killed and 328 cows stolen in Gwer West and Logo LGAs alone.
Ngelzarma added that since January 2025, over 57 herders have reportedly been killed and more than 4,348 cattle rustled across Benue State.
He further claimed that between September and December 2024, 12 herders were killed in Logo LGA, adding that in January 2025, another eight were allegedly murdered in Kwande LGA, and in March, four were killed near Zaki Biam in Ukum LGA.
He said, “We wish to state that MACBAN, as the umbrella organisation of Fulani cattle breeders and herders in Nigeria, is committed to the peaceful and harmonious coexistence of the over three hundred ethnic groups in Nigeria.
“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.
“In several cases our members are attacked, killed and hundreds of thousands of cattle are stolen and their properties destroyed. The voices of our most our members are not heard due to the fact that most of them members are not literate, live in hard-to-reach areas, and have limited or no access to the media and the internet. Their losses, both human and material don’t get media attention let alone grab the headlines.
“While we cannot detail all of the attacks on herders in Benue State, we, however, shall mention a few. Between September to December 2024, 12 Fulani herders were killed in Logo LGA of Benue State. In January 2025, eight herders were killed in Kwande LGA of the state and 268 cattle were either rustled or killed. On January 12, 2025, two herders were murdered by Tiv farmers in Guma LGA. In February 2025, two young herders were killed in Katsina Ala and their bodies burned. In March 2025, four herders were killed near Zaki Biam in Ukum LGA, and 85 cattle were stolen. In Gwer West LGA is one LGA scores Fulani Herders have suffered losses.”
“From January 2024 to December 2024, 44 pastoralists were killed and 328 cows stolen in Gwer West and Logo LGAs alone. From January 2025 to date, over 57 herders were killed in Benue State, with over 4,348 herds of cattle stolen. The most unfortunate part is that the perpetrators are not arrested not to talk of being prosecuted nor victims compensated. “
Ngelzarma called on political, traditional, religious, and community leaders in Benue to stop promoting divisive narratives and instead work towards peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders.
“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.
“We hope his intervention will mark a turning point in the efforts
