MACBAN: Kaduna livestock farmers have lost over 200,000 livestock animals

According to the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) Kaduna State branch, at least 50 people were killed between January and September 2026 as a result of bandit raids, livestock theft, communal clashes, and farmer-herder attacks. During the same period, members of the association lost over 200,000 head of cattle, with not a single livestock animal recovered by the time of the press conference. The event took place in Kaduna with the participation of the state chairman of the organization, Alhaji Abdulhamid Musa, spokesperson Ibrahim Bayero Zango, and other officials.

The losses affected pastoralist families in Kachia, Chikun, Kagarko, Giwa, Igabi, Jema'a, Kaura, Sanga, Jaba, Kudan, Makarfi, Lere, Zangon Kataf, and Kauru local government areas. MACBAN noted that the loss of herds deals a heavy blow to the economy of livestock producers and deprives entire generations of sustainable livelihoods. The association called on state authorities and security forces to treat livestock theft as a serious economic threat capable of exacerbating poverty.

The organization paid special attention to the newly opened Rijana livestock market in the Kachia local government area. Reports emerged regarding the potential entry of stolen livestock into this marketplace. While MACBAN does not accuse all market participants, it advocates for a thorough investigation, tightened controls, trader verification, proper animal documentation, and the prosecution of violators of the law.

The association proposed conducting special operations in forests and along cattle migration routes, as well as establishing a mechanism for returning stolen animals to their lawful owners and setting up a committee to assess losses. Alongside this, the MACBAN leadership expressed appreciation to Governor Uba Sani's administration for its peacebuilding efforts since 2023, noting the work of the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, the development of the road network, and the reorganization of the state's livestock regulatory agency.