Banditry, clashes killed 50 herders in 2026 — MACBAN
September 13, 2026 5:00 pm
Photos of the Kaduna State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Abdulhamid Musa Albarka and other executives of the group at a press conference in the state capital on Sunday. Photo: Godwin Isenyo
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Kaduna State chapter, on Sunday alleged that no fewer than 50 of its members were killed and over 200,000 cattle were lost to banditry, communal clashes and cattle rustling between January and August 2026.
The association also said the losses had pushed several livestock-owning families into severe economic hardship, with many rendered impoverished after losing their major means of livelihood.
The State Director of Media, Ibrahim Bayero-Zango, disclosed this while reading a statement on behalf of the state chairman, Alhaji Abdulhamid Albarka, at a press conference in Kaduna. He said the deaths recorded among members resulted from different forms of violence, including communal clashes, attacks by farmers and banditry during cattle-rustling operations.
Albarka said, “From January to this year, over 200,000 cows have been lost. Our people are suffering seriously. So many families have been rendered into abject poverty. The killings are in two categories. Some are communal clashes. Some are attacks by farmers. Some are being killed by bandits in the process of rustling their cows. So roughly, we can say we lost over 50 people from January to August,” he said.
The association urged the Kaduna State Government to intensify security operations against cattle rustling and other forms of rural criminality threatening livestock owners across the state.
MACBAN also called for stronger regulation of livestock markets, particularly the recently opened Rijana livestock market in Kachia Local Government Area, to prevent stolen animals from being sold through legitimate commercial channels.
The association commended Governor Uba Sani for what it described as his administration’s efforts to strengthen security and reorganise the livestock sector, but said members continued to face serious security and livelihood challenges in several parts of the state.
According to MACBAN, cattle rustling has affected communities in Kachia, Chikun, Kagarko, Giwa, Igabi, Jama’a, Kaura, Sanga, Jaba, Kudan, Makarfi, Zangon Kataf and Kauru. “Cattle rustling remains a major threat to the survival of thousands of pastoralists,” the association said.
It added that the impact of livestock theft extended beyond cattle owners to traders, butchers, transporters, feed sellers, farmers and others operating within the livestock value chain.
On the Rijana market, MACBAN urged the government and security agencies to investigate activities around the facility and ensure that it did not become a transit point or commercial outlet for stolen livestock. “We are not accusing every trader, livestock owner or participant in the market of involvement in criminal activity,” the association said.
It, however, warned that “any individual found to be involved in cattle rustling, trafficking of stolen livestock or any other criminal activity should face the full weight of the law.”
MACBAN called for stronger identification and documentation of livestock brought to markets, verification of traders and buyers, and closer collaboration among market authorities, livestock associations and security agencies.
It also urged the government to establish a livestock-loss and victims’ assessment committee to document the number of animals lost, families affected and lives lost to rustling, banditry and related insecurity.
The association further demanded improved security presence along major livestock routes and vulnerable rural communities, as well as intelligence-led operations in forests identified as cattle-rustling hotspots.
It appealed for the recovery and return of stolen livestock to their legitimate owners whenever such animals were recovered.
“There should be an effective mechanism through which victims can report stolen livestock and provide evidence of ownership,” MACBAN said.
The association also called for stronger collaboration among farmers, pastoralists, traditional rulers, community leaders and security agencies, saying peaceful coexistence was essential to agricultural development.
“Our position is simple: anyone who steals livestock, kills innocent people, kidnaps citizens or engages in any other criminal activity should be identified and prosecuted according to the law. At the same time, innocent livestock owners and law-abiding pastoralist families should not be collectively profiled because of the actions of criminals”, it said.
MACBAN pledged to continue working with the Kaduna State Government and security agencies to promote peace, lawful livestock production and economic development across the state.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]