Arewa Youth Leader’s Defense of Miyetti Allah Backfires After Admitting ‘Bandits and Terrorists’ Among Members

A viral X post has stirred fresh controversy after Abdul Danbature, President of the Arewa Youth Assembly, publicly defended Miyetti Allah against looming U.S. sanctions—but his own words may have deepened the group’s troubles.

In the circulating video clip, Danbature passionately argued that Miyetti Allah should not be demonized, describing it as an organization composed of “law-abiding professionals like professors, governors, and responsible citizens.” However, he simultaneously conceded that “some bad elements, including bandits and terrorists,” exist within the association—an admission that immediately set social media ablaze.

The clip comes amid heightened international scrutiny after U.S. lawmakers introduced House Resolution 860 (H.Res.860) in November 2025, calling on the Trump administration to impose Global Magnitsky sanctions—including visa bans and asset freezes—on leaders of Miyetti Allah. The proposal accuses the group of complicity in religious freedom violations and attacks against Christian communities in parts of Northern and Middle Belt Nigeria.

While Danbature’s defense aimed to project Miyetti Allah as misunderstood, his acknowledgment of criminal infiltration within its ranks drew fierce backlash. Commenters across X accused him of “confirming exactly why sanctions are needed,” with one user writing, “If even the Arewa Youth President admits terrorists are in the group, then what else are we debating?”

The thread has since garnered over 60 replies, many amplifying calls for accountability, transparency, and reform within Nigeria’s pastoral and herders’ associations. Others questioned why the Nigerian government has remained silent as a foreign power prepares punitive measures against its domestic organizations.

Analysts note that while Miyetti Allah has long claimed to be a peaceful advocacy group for herders’ rights, recurring clashes, public threats, and controversial statements from some of its members have repeatedly tied its name to national security concerns. Danbature’s viral defense—intended to shield the group—has instead reignited public debate about state protection, justice for victims, and the global perception of Nigeria’s handling of extremist-linked entities.

With the U.S. Congress now watching closely and social media fueling pressure, the controversy surrounding Miyetti Allah may soon shift from online outrage to real-world diplomatic consequences.

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