The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has pointed fingers at religious leaders over the March 29 attack in Jos North Local Government Area, where gunmen stormed Angwan Rukuba, targeting a popular bar and leaving at least 28 people dead. The assailants used guns and machetes in a brutal assault that has reignited tensions in Plateau State. On March 31, MACBAN president Baba Othman-Ngelzarma condemned the violence and accused certain religious figures of fueling unrest through inflammatory statements. He described the recurring bloodshed as a threat to national unity and peaceful coexistence. Othman-Ngelzarma stressed that instead of calming tensions, some religious leaders were worsening the situation with reckless rhetoric. "Words matter. In fragile environments like ours, they can either heal or destroy," he said. He called on religious, traditional, and community leaders to promote dialogue and de-escalation. The MACBAN leader also urged security agencies to act professionally, investigate those inciting violence—including any religious figures—and ensure prosecutions without bias. He emphasized the need for stronger intelligence and increased security in vulnerable areas. MACBAN reiterated its commitment to peace, mutual respect, and collaboration with all stakeholders to restore stability in Plateau and beyond.
Baba Othman-Ngelzarma's direct naming of religious leaders as contributors to violence breaks a long-standing pattern of shielding clerics from accountability in conflict narratives. While MACBAN has its own contested history in pastoral conflicts, this moment forces a broader conversation about how sermons and spiritual authority are wielded in Nigeria's flashpoints. In a country where preachers often speak with political impunity, the idea that words can be weapons carries weight — especially when bodies pile up after Sunday services. This isn't just about Jos; it's about every community where godly platforms double as echo chambers for hate.
