KACRAN: Insecurity in North can end within 45 days if leaders are committed

By Philippine Duru

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The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has declared that the worsening insecurity in the North West and North Central regions of the country can be brought to an end within 45 days if the Federal Government, state governors and other stakeholders demonstrate sufficient political will and commitment.
The association said the two regions possess the human resources, political influence, traditional institutions and leadership capacity required to resolve the security challenges that have claimed numerous lives, displaced communities and crippled agricultural activities.
KACRAN’s National President, Hon. Khalil Mohd Bello, made the assertion in a statement expressing concern over the persistent killings, banditry, cattle rustling and destruction of property across northern Nigeria.
According to him, the association has developed a peace proposal that could restore stability to the troubled regions within 45 days if implemented with the full cooperation of federal and state authorities.
He explained that the proposed timeline would involve two weeks of consultations and engagement with relevant groups, followed by one month of decisive measures to implement the peace agreement.
Bello lamented that northern Nigeria, once celebrated for its unity, peaceful coexistence, generosity and political advancement, had become a theatre of violence where armed groups terrorise innocent citizens.
He said the activities of bandits and other armed groups had forced thousands of families to abandon their ancestral homes, prevented farmers from accessing their farmlands and resulted in widespread livestock theft.
The KACRAN president argued that the continued deterioration of security was particularly disturbing considering the calibre of political, military, traditional and religious leaders produced by the region.
He said: “KACRAN strongly and respectfully believes that with the support and cooperation of the Federal Government and the concerned state governments, the North has the full capacity and ability to end insecurity in the North West and North Central within 45 days, if truly committed.”
Bello maintained that the regions had produced several Nigerian presidents, military generals, senior security officers, experienced administrators and influential politicians capable of contributing meaningfully to peacebuilding efforts.
He also pointed to the regions’ population and electoral importance, stressing that northern political leaders had a responsibility to protect the lives and livelihoods of their constituents.
According to him, restoring peace before the 2027 general elections would enable displaced residents to return to their communities and participate in civic activities, including voting.
He warned that allowing insecurity to persist would further undermine Nigeria’s food security, given the strategic importance of the North West and North Central to agricultural production.
Bello said the regions’ traditional rulers, religious leaders and political stakeholders should be mobilised to facilitate meaningful dialogue with armed groups and other parties involved in the conflicts.
Citing developments in Kaduna and Katsina states, he argued that dialogue had demonstrated its potential to resolve even deeply entrenched security challenges.
The association particularly commended Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, for his peace initiatives in Birnin Gwari, which it described as an example of how engagement with relevant stakeholders could help address longstanding conflicts.
Bello praised the governor’s commitment to peace, unity and economic development, urging his counterparts in the North West and North Central to emulate his approach.
He said: “We wish to most sincerely express our deepest appreciation to His Excellency, Malam Uba Sani, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, for his genuine love for the peace, unity and economic development of his people.
“We respectfully call on North West and North Central governors to emulate his good example.”
KACRAN also questioned the emphasis on establishing state police as a solution to insecurity, arguing that governments should instead prioritise conflict resolution and sustainable employment opportunities for young people.
The association expressed concern about the long-term sustainability of security-related employment, particularly in the face of changing government revenues.
It advocated massive investment in agriculture, livestock development, fisheries, industries and commercial activities as more sustainable approaches to tackling unemployment and addressing some of the underlying causes of insecurity.
Bello maintained that armed groups operating across the two regions could be reached through coordinated peace initiatives involving traditional institutions, government authorities and local communities.
He argued that relying exclusively on military operations had failed to produce the desired results despite the substantial public resources committed to security interventions.
According to him, dialogue should complement security operations, while firm action should be taken against armed groups that reject genuine peace initiatives.
The association also warned against the proliferation of ethnic-based vigilante organisations, saying such groups could deepen divisions and trigger retaliatory violence.
Bello said the establishment of vigilante groups along ethnic lines might encourage rival communities to form similar armed organisations, thereby complicating an already fragile security situation.
He condemned the recent killings in Plateau, Taraba and Zamfara states, as well as other attacks involving the destruction of property and rustling of livestock.
KACRAN further urged northern leaders not to postpone decisive action on insecurity until the 2027 general elections.
It maintained that resolving the security challenges before the elections would create a more favourable environment for economic recovery and enable future administrations to concentrate on development.
Drawing a comparison with Rwanda’s recovery from the 1994 genocide, Bello said northern leaders could similarly mobilise the political will and collective determination necessary to restore peace.
He argued that the region’s abundant human and natural resources made continued insecurity unacceptable.
The association consequently appealed to the Federal Government and governors of the affected states to adopt its proposed peace framework without further delay.
Bello said: “It is not in the best interest of the North to continue to live with insecurity while waiting for the next election cycle in 2027.
“Our security challenge should be addressed now, so that whoever comes to power in 2027 can continue and expand efforts at building our economy through massive job creation, youth employment, livestock development, fisheries, arable farming and boosting commercial activities.”
He urged the authorities to provide the necessary political, financial and institutional support for the immediate implementation of the association’s proposal.
The KACRAN president reiterated that while dialogue should remain central to the peace process, security agencies must take decisive action against bandits who refuse to embrace peace.
He expressed confidence that a coordinated approach involving federal and state governments, traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies and community stakeholders could bring lasting stability to the troubled regions.