The Kaduna State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria has revealed that its members suffered the loss of over 200,000 cattle and no fewer than 50 lives to cattle rustling, banditry, communal clashes and other security challenges between January and September 2026.

This disclosure was made on Sunday during a press briefing in Kaduna, addressed by the association’s State Chairman, Alhaji Abdulhamid Musa, spokesman Ibrahim Bayero Zango, and other officials.

MACBAN explained that these losses had brought severe economic hardship upon pastoralist families throughout the state, noting that some households had lost their entire source of livelihood.

“From January to this September, over 200,000 cows have been lost,” the association said, adding that none of the animals had been recovered as of the time of the briefing.

The group also stated that approximately 50 of its members had died within the period, linking the deaths to communal clashes, alleged attacks by farmers and killings carried out by bandits during cattle-rustling operations.

“The killings are into two. Some are communal clashes, some are attacks by farmers, some are being killed by bandits in the process of rustling their cows.

“Roughly, we can say we lost over 50 people from January to today,” MACBAN said.

The association named Kachia, Chikun, Kagarko, Giwa, Igabi, Jama’a, Kaura, Sanga, Jaba, Kudan, Makarfi, Lere, Zangon-Kataf and Kauru as the areas worst affected by cattle rustling and insecurity impacting livestock breeders.

MACBAN emphasised that cattle continued to serve as the main source of livelihood for numerous pastoralist families, warning that the loss of herds carried consequences extending well beyond their immediate financial worth.

“For many cattle breeders, cattle are not only commercial assets. They represent means of sustainable survival to many generations.

“The loss of a herd of cattle can therefore push an entire community into severe economic hardship,” it said.

The group appealed to the Kaduna State Government and security agencies to regard cattle rustling not merely as a security issue but also as an economic danger with the potential to deepen poverty within affected communities.

It further expressed concern over developments surrounding the newly opened Rijana livestock market in Kachia Local Government Area, situated roughly 48 kilometres along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway.

MACBAN said it was troubled by reports and allegations suggesting that livestock obtained through criminal means might be finding their way into the market.

The association, nonetheless, made clear that it was not implicating all traders, livestock owners or other market participants in criminal wrongdoing.

Rather, it called for a thorough investigation and tighter regulation to prevent the market from turning into a transit point or outlet for stolen livestock and criminal networks.

It recommended proper identification and documentation of livestock, verification of traders and buyers where necessary, and closer cooperation among market authorities, livestock associations and security agencies.

MACBAN insisted that anyone found culpable of cattle rustling, trafficking in stolen livestock or other criminal acts should face prosecution under the law.

The association also pushed for intelligence-led security operations in forests and other locations identified as cattle-rustling hotspots, alongside strengthened security presence along major livestock routes and in vulnerable rural communities.

It additionally urged authorities to put in place an effective mechanism for recovering and returning stolen livestock to their rightful owners whenever such animals were intercepted.

“There should be an effective mechanism through which victims can report stolen livestock and provide evidence of ownership, including identifying marks and other available traditional methods and documentation,” it said.

MACBAN also proposed setting up a standing or ad hoc livestock-loss and victims’ assessment committee to document and verify the number of animals lost, families affected and lives lost to cattle rustling, banditry and related insecurity.

It called for government intervention, including possible compensation for genuinely verified victims, to help affected families rebuild their livelihoods.

Despite these concerns, the association praised the administration of Governor Uba Sani for what it described as sustained efforts to promote peace and security in Kaduna State since 2023.

It specifically commended the work of the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, the provision and rehabilitation of rural roads linking farming and livestock-producing communities, and the strengthening and reorganisation of the Kaduna State Livestock Regulatory Agency.

MACBAN also praised the government’s wider interventions in agriculture and livestock development.

The association called for stronger security collaboration at the local government level, along with improved intelligence gathering and community-based information sharing involving security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders.

It urged the state government to sustain dialogue and peaceful coexistence between farmers and pastoralists, stressing its readiness to work with government, farmers’ organisations, traditional institutions and security agencies towards finding lasting solutions to insecurity and recurring conflicts.

MACBAN said it condemned cattle rustling, banditry, kidnapping, killings and all forms of criminality, insisting that perpetrators should be identified and prosecuted.

“At the same time, innocent livestock owners and law-abiding pastoral families should not be collectively profiled because of the actions of criminals,” it said.

The association urged its members to remain law-abiding and cooperative with constituted authorities while supporting peaceful coexistence with neighbouring communities.

It said the Kaduna State chapter remained committed to “peace, lawful livestock production and breeding, economic development and peaceful coexistence among all communities in Kaduna State.”