The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has strongly criticized the recent meeting between U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Richard M. Mills Jr., and representatives of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).
According to reports, Ambassador Mills met with MACBAN leaders on Monday to discuss Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges and explore peaceful solutions to the persistent conflict between herders and farmers.
In a statement from its leader, Comrade Uchenna Madu, MASSOB expressed deep concern over the implications of the meeting for Nigeria’s ethnic relations and national unity. The group described the engagement as a disturbing validation of the Fulani herdsmen, who they allege have been responsible for widespread violence, killings, and land seizures across the country.
MASSOB argued that by interacting with MACBAN, the U.S. risked unintentionally legitimizing groups accused of criminal activities that have led to displacement and suffering, especially in the Middle Belt region. The group also warned that the meeting could threaten the safety of Igbo and other ethnic communities who have reportedly suffered from such attacks.
Labeling the meeting as potential diplomatic endorsement of a Fulani expansionist agenda, MASSOB cautioned that it could further marginalize indigenous ethnic groups and deepen existing tensions. The group stressed that such diplomatic efforts might fuel perceptions of bias, increasing the risk of ethnic unrest.
MASSOB urged the U.S. to reconsider its diplomatic approach, advocating for inclusive dialogue that addresses the grievances of all communities and promotes lasting peace and equity across Nigeria.