MACBAN Accuses Kogi Government of Extrajudicial Killings, Ethnic Profiling
By Ocholi Amanabo
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has raised alarm over what it describes as a disturbing pattern of extrajudicial killings, torture, and ethnic profiling of Fulani pastoralists in Kogi State.
In a petition signed by the association’s National Secretary General, Bello Aliyu Gotomo, MACBAN accused a joint security task force, allegedly acting on the orders of the Kogi State Governor, of conducting a violent and unlawful operation targeting Fulani herder communities.
According to the petition, the incident began on March 22, 2025, when 147 Fulani pastoralists were reportedly arrested at Opere Market in Kabba Local Government Area. The arrested individuals were taken to Chari Megumeri Barracks, a military installation in Lokoja, where they were allegedly detained without formal charges.
MACBAN claims that during their detention, the pastoralists were subjected to torture, starvation, and degrading treatment. The group confirmed that 12 of its members died while in custody. Their bodies were released to their families for burial on April 8, 2025. Furthermore, MACBAN stated that 13 individuals remain missing, with at least one person being held incommunicado at an undisclosed location.
“The operation appears to be a calculated assault on Fulani pastoralists and not just a routine security measure,” the petition stated. “This constitutes ethnic persecution and may qualify as a crime against humanity under international law.”
MACBAN is demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of the officers and security operatives involved in the operation. It also called for full compensation to the families of the deceased, as well as other affected individuals.
The group urged President Bola Tinubu to issue a directive to all security agencies to provide equal protection for pastoralist communities across Nigeria and to put an end to ethnic profiling. It also asked the National Security Adviser to address the rising cases of stigmatisation and scapegoating of Fulani herders.
MACBAN warned that if justice is not served locally, it may seek international redress by filing a case at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The association has also appealed to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the international community to intervene, warning that continued silence could embolden perpetrators and worsen insecurity in the region.
