Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II has admitted being a patron of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).
The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) also named the former Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar III as the grand patron, now replaced by successive Sultans: Dasuki, Maccido and now Saad Abubakar.
Emir Sanusi was speaking with The Punch newspaper on the killings in various parts of the country by persons suspected to be cattle herders. According to him, the Emir of Katsina, Emir of Zazzau (Zaria) and Lamido Adamawa are also patrons of the MACBAN.
Sanusi, however, stated that the group does not engage in violence.
He said: “As I understand it when Miyetti Allah was first set up, they requested a few Fulani emirs to be their patrons in their capacity as emirs. The first grand patron was Sultan Abubakar III and he was replaced by successive sultans – Dasuki, Maccido and Saad Abubakar now.
“Other patrons are emir of Kano, Lamido Adamawa and emirs of Zazzau and Katsina, I believe. So, my predecessor was a patron and on my ascension to the throne, I became a patron. That is all nominal.
“To the best of my knowledge, Miyetti Allah has never been involved in acts of violence and has always condemned violence and called on its members to eschew violence.
“It is, however, committed to protecting the fundamental rights of herdsmen as Nigerians including constitutional right to freedom of movement and the ownership of private wealth and peaceful conduct of their business.”