The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has praised President Bola Tinubu for what it describes as a bold and timely intervention in Benue State, following renewed unrest and rising tensions in the region.
In a statement issued Wednesday in Abuja, the association’s National President, Alhaji Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, commended the President’s recent visit and his public appeal for unity among the state’s political and traditional leaders.
“We wish to thank President Bola Tinubu for his intervention and timely visit to Benue,” Othman-Ngelzarma said. “It takes courage to go to a place burdened with grief and call for peace. His appeal for coexistence among the leaders of Benue is a welcome step in the right direction.”
The MACBAN leader also acknowledged the efforts of the Federal Government and security agencies in containing the violence and restoring calm, following recent attacks that left a trail of casualties and destruction.
Offering condolences to the people and government of Benue, Othman-Ngelzarma described the loss of life as senseless and deeply tragic. He urged all Nigerians to rise above ethnic divisions and foster mutual respect.
“As the umbrella body for Fulani herders across Nigeria, we stand firmly for peaceful and harmonious coexistence with all ethnic groups,” he said. “Our members are not just herders; we are contributors to the nation’s economy, and peace is essential for our collective survival.”
MACBAN also called on political, religious, and community leaders in Benue to stop inflaming tensions with divisive rhetoric. Instead, the group urged a return to dialogue, trust-building, and long-term reconciliation between farming and herding communities — a relationship that has grown increasingly strained in recent years.
As the dust settles in Benue, MACBAN’s message is unmistakable: healing requires more than state visits — it demands a shared commitment to a future no longer dictated by fear, suspicion, or old grievances.
