The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria, KACRAN, has issued a strong condemnation of the escalating violence plaguing Northern Nigeria, calling for immediate action from all parties involved in the conflict.
Association Expresses Grave Concerns Over Insecurity
In a press release signed by Hon Khalil Moh'd Bello, National President of KACRAN, the association expressed deep concerns about the brutal killings of innocent Nigerians and the destruction of properties worth billions of Naira. The organization highlighted that these issues, particularly the rampant livestock rustling in Northern states, have become subjects of heated international debate.
KACRAN revealed that their members face severe challenges due to the nature of their pastoral occupation. "The nature of their pastoral occupation forces them to be in the bush, where they face all types of ruthless extortion in the name of Zakat or are forced to give one of their sons to join banditry as a condition to continue their business of livestock production," Bello stated.
Double Jeopardy for Pastoral Communities
The association detailed how their members face threats from multiple fronts. Security volunteers often target innocent pastoralists instead of confronting actual bandits in deep forests. Similarly, when security operatives attack bandits, collateral damage frequently claims the lives of pastoral community members.
"We are the people who are being forced to give the actual bandits cover, as the bandits will not allow us to freely go into the deep forest to do our business otherwise," Bello explained, highlighting the impossible situation facing cattle rearers.
The KACRAN President expressed particular concern about their members' vulnerability, noting that in case of external attacks, innocent pastoralists would likely become primary targets, as has occurred during previous operations by volunteers or security forces.
Broken Peace Agreements and Continued Violence
KACRAN strongly condemned recent attacks where bandits violated peace agreements with communities in Katsina, Kano, and Zamfara States. The association specifically mentioned incidents where bandits broke reconciliation deals reached months earlier with local governments in Katsina State.
"Unfortunately, as reported by media, some disgruntled elements of the bandits broke the promise and moved ahead to painfully attack, kill, and abduct some communities who reposed trust in the peace accord," Bello lamented.
Similar violations occurred in Zamfara State, where bandits broke agreements with farmers who had paid money to harvest their farm produce. Instead of honoring these agreements, bandits attacked the communities, killing innocent people and abducting others for ransom.
Call for Comprehensive Security Solutions
KACRAN described these recent attacks as significant setbacks in efforts to find amicable solutions to the conflicts in North West and North Central Nigeria. The association called on the Katsina State Government to support peace accords reached between local government communities and facilitate the confiscation of weapons from both bandits and volunteers.
In their concluding remarks, KACRAN assured Katsina State, other states in the North West and North Central regions, and the Federal Government of their readiness to assist through dialogue, kinetic, and non-kinetic approaches to end insurgency in these regions and across Nigeria.
The association reiterated its total rejection of any acts killing innocent Nigerians and called on both bandits and volunteers to immediately end their heinous crimes, which they described as completely unjustifiable under any circumstances.
