Published On the Biafra Post
April 30, 2025
Dear Igbo brothers and sisters,
We must pay close attention to a troubling development that could affect our safety and future. On Monday, the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, hosted the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Abuja.
A photo from the U.S. Mission Nigeria shows the Ambassador posing with MACBAN leaders, and the accompanying post claims the meeting was to “hear about the concerns of herder communities” and discuss “opportunities to peacefully resolve conflict” in the Middle Belt. But beneath this diplomatic gesture lies a red flag we cannot ignore.
MACBAN claims herders have lost over four million cattle worth ₦2.8 trillion to insecurity, and they feel unfairly profiled as criminals.
While they deny involvement in recent deadly attacks in Plateau, Benue States, and the rest of Nigeria their National President, Baba Othman Ngelzarm, praised the federal government and the DSS for “fairness” and “professionalism.” This news raises serious concerns for the Igbo people, and here’s why:
1. A Dangerous Signal of Legitimacy
This high-profile meeting with the U.S. Ambassador could be seen as giving international support to MACBAN a group often linked to violent clashes with farming communities across Nigeria, including in the Southeast.
The photo of Ambassador Mills standing alongside MACBAN leaders in front of the U.S. Embassy sends a message: their voice is being heard at the highest levels. This risks emboldening them, potentially leading to more aggression against communities like ours, who have already faced threats to our lands and lives.
2. Our Pain Overlooked
MACBAN complains of lost cattle and profiling, but what about the Igbo farmers and villagers killed or displaced by violence? The focus on herders’ grievances highlighted in the article and the U.S. Mission’s post ignores the suffering of other groups. We’ve seen our own communities attacked, yet there’s no U.S. Ambassador meeting with Igbo leaders to hear our concerns. This imbalance could deepen our marginalization, a wound we’ve carried since the Biafran War.
3. Security Threats Closer to Home
The article notes MACBAN’s praise for the federal government and the DSS, calling them “fair and just.” But for many Igbo people, these same institutions have failed to protect us from violence or address our security needs. If MACBAN feels supported by both the federal government and international actors, what stops them from pushing into the Southeast, where tensions over land and resources already simmer? The photo’s serene embassy setting hides a storm that could reach our doorstep.
4. Ethnic Tensions on the Rise
By amplifying MACBAN’s narrative, this meeting risks fueling ethnic divisions. The Igbo people have long fought for recognition and equity in Nigeria. If one group’s concerns are prioritized especially a group tied to conflict while ours are sidelined, it could spark resentment and unrest.
We cannot afford to be caught in the crossfire of a conflict that this diplomatic move might intensify.
What We Must Do.
Stay Vigilant: Watch this situation closely. The U.S. Mission’s post was shared just a day ago things are moving fast.
Speak Up: Demand that our leaders at home and in the diaspora raise our voices to the federal government and international community.
Unite: Our strength lies in our togetherness. Share this warning with your families, churches, and town unions.
This isn’t just about the Middle Belt it’s about all of us. The Igbo people have survived too much to be blindsided now.
Let’s stay informed, protect our communities, and push for our sovereign states of Biafra where every group’s safety matters.
Onye aghana nwanne ya.
Written by BiafraFirstSon
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