The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has condemned the recent meeting held by the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Richard M. Mills Jr., with the leaders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).

It stated that the meeting constituted a troubling endorsement of the Fulani herdsmen, who it alleged have “been widely involved in mass killings, violent conflicts, and land snatching across Nigeria.”

MASSOB leader, Uchenna Madu, in a statement on Tuesday, expressed deep concern regarding the implications of the meeting for Nigeria’s social fabric and the ongoing issues surrounding ethnic tensions in the country.

“By engaging with these Fulani leaders, the US has inadvertently legitimised illegal actions that have caused suffering and displacement for numerous communities, particularly in the Middle Belt and beyond.

“The meeting raises significant concerns for the safety and security of the Igbo communities and other ethnic groups who have been victims of Fulani herdsmen’s mass killings and violence.

“MASSOB interpreted the meeting of the US Ambassador with Miyetti Allah as diplomatic support for the Fulani agenda of illegal occupation of indigenous citizens’ land, which may further marginalise other ethnic groups and escalate existing grievances.

“The meeting has the potential to exacerbate ethnic tensions in a country already rife with division and conflict,” he said.

Madu further stated that such diplomatic engagements can send a message that certain groups are favoured over others, increasing the likelihood of violence and unrest among competing ethnic factions.

“MASSOB calls for a re-evaluation of diplomatic strategies that prioritise dialogue with groups implicated in violence against innocent civilians. We advocate for a balanced approach that fosters peace and unity among all ethnic indigenous communities,” he added.