The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has strongly condemned the recent bandit attacks in Kaduna State, calling on repentant bandits to take immediate action to uphold the peace accord.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its National President, Hon. Khalil Bello, KACRAN expressed deep concern over reports from BBC Hausa detailing attacks on villages in Kaduna State. “These acts directly violate the peace agreement brokered between the Kaduna State Government, traditional rulers, community leaders, and bandit leaders—an accord that successfully brought an end to over a decade of conflict in the region,” Bello stated.
“KACRAN is deeply troubled by this development. As an organization committed to peace, we have welcomed the progress achieved through the peace accord and commend the dedication of the Kaduna State Government in fostering stability. We urge other governors in the Northwest to adopt similar measures in their states,” he added.
In response to these events, KACRAN firmly denounced the attacks in the Birnin Gwari area, outlining the following key concerns:
- Breach of Peace Efforts: The attacks come at a time when the people of Birnin Gwari, KACRAN, and all peace-loving Nigerians are celebrating the success of the peace accord with repentant bandits.
- Violation of Cultural and Ethical Values: Such violent actions contradict the principles of Pulaaku, which emphasize honesty and the fulfillment of agreements reached between conflicting parties.
- Undermining Peace Advocacy: These attacks tarnish the efforts of the Kaduna State Governor, the Emir of Birnin Gwari, and KACRAN, all of whom have actively championed peaceful dialogue as a means to end violence.
- Disruption of Stability: The violence disrupts the restoration of normalcy in Birnin Gwari, which had led to the reopening of cattle markets and the revival of local businesses.
- Threat to Community Reconciliation: The attacks jeopardize the rebuilding of trust among community members who have been striving to restore relationships and rebuild their lives following years of conflict.
- Impact on Government Peace Monitoring Efforts: The incident occurs at a crucial time when both the federal and Northwest state governments are assessing the effectiveness of the Kaduna peace accord to inform future security strategies.
KACRAN urged repentant bandits to take swift action to prevent further breaches of trust by a small faction of their former associates. “It is imperative that they uphold their commitment to peace and actively protect the communities of Kaduna State from any further violence,” the statement emphasized.
Furthermore, the association extended its deepest condolences to the affected communities and called for restraint, urging residents of Birnin Gwari to avoid any retaliatory actions that could escalate tensions.
KACRAN also appealed to the Kaduna State Government to provide all necessary support to repentant bandits to enable them to address emerging security challenges in the region effectively.
“We remain resolute in our commitment to fostering lasting peace and stability in Kaduna State,” the statement concluded.
