In a bid to foster peace and address the persistent security challenges facing Nigeria’s rural communities, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has held a crucial dialogue with the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).

The meeting, confirmed via the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, focused on the growing insecurity affecting pastoralist groups across the country. It forms part of a broader diplomatic effort to engage directly with stakeholders in Nigeria’s agri-rural space, especially amid rising tension between herders and farmers in several regions.

The talks come on the heels of recent violent outbreaks in states such as Benue, Plateau, Ogun, Ondo, and Edo, where deadly clashes between farming communities and herders have escalated. Tragic incidents like the attack on Afia community in Ukum LGA of Benue State, where over 11 people were killed, have further heightened national concern.

During the engagement, Ambassador Mills listened to the concerns of MACBAN, who highlighted several pressing issues affecting pastoralist populations. These include insufficient protection from security agencies, economic displacement, and what the group described as discriminatory practices and ethnic profiling targeting herders.

The U.S. envoy emphasized the importance of inclusive dialogue in addressing the root causes of rural insecurity. “Today, Ambassador Mills met with representatives of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria to hear directly from them about the challenges confronting herder populations,” the embassy posted.

Discussions explored opportunities for sustainable conflict resolution and improved community security. MACBAN leaders reaffirmed the need for the Federal Government to enhance protection for herding communities and develop policies that promote social equity and peaceful coexistence.

The group further called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to issue firm directives to national security agencies to safeguard pastoralist groups and ensure justice in affected areas. They also urged the Office of the National Security Adviser to proactively address ethnic stigmatization, marginalization, and the root socioeconomic pressures fueling the conflict.