The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has opposed calls for the establishment of state police, arguing that sustained job creation, economic empowerment and dialogue offer more effective and lasting solutions to the country’s growing security challenges.
In a statement signed by its National President, Hon. Khalil Mohd Bello, the association said the creation of state police would merely address the symptoms of insecurity while leaving its underlying causes—poverty, unemployment, resource-based conflicts and social exclusion—largely unresolved.
KACRAN said its position followed extensive consultations and field engagements across the North-West and North-Central regions, which indicated that community-based conflict resolution and expanded economic opportunities remain the most sustainable pathways to peace and stability.
According to the association, Nigeria experienced greater security in previous decades not because of the existence of state police, but because traditional institutions, community structures and economic opportunities helped resolve disputes before they escalated into violence.
The group expressed concern that the establishment of state police could expose pastoralists to victimisation in states operating anti-grazing laws. It also warned that some state governments might deploy state-controlled police forces against political opponents and other citizens, potentially undermining democratic governance and civil liberties.
KACRAN further argued that establishing and maintaining state police formations would impose significant financial burdens on states, particularly those with limited internally generated revenue. It maintained that available resources would be better invested in agriculture, water supply, education, healthcare, employment and other social interventions capable of addressing the root causes of insecurity.
The association also cautioned that the creation of state police could generate jurisdictional disputes and operational rivalries between federal and state security agencies, thereby complicating coordination and weakening overall security operations.
Drawing attention to the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme introduced under the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, KACRAN said dialogue had previously proved effective in reducing violent conflicts and should be institutionalised as a key strategy for resolving contemporary security challenges.
The association stressed that existing security institutions—including the military, the Nigeria Police Force and community vigilante groups—should be further strengthened rather than creating additional policing structures. It noted that many state governments already support these agencies through logistics and operational assistance.
Instead, KACRAN urged the Federal Government to embark on large-scale recruitment into the police, armed forces and other security agencies to address manpower shortages. It also called for aggressive investment in employment generation and food security programmes to reduce the vulnerability of unemployed youths to criminal recruitment.
The association further advocated greater involvement of traditional rulers and community leaders in formal conflict resolution mechanisms, describing them as critical first responders in preventing local disputes from escalating.
KACRAN reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Federal Government and security agencies to promote peace, protect livelihoods and preserve Nigeria’s unity, while urging policymakers to prioritise inclusive economic development and dialogue as the foundation for lasting national security.
