KACRAN Cries Our Members Extorted by Bandits and Terrorists, Mislabeled and Killed by Volunteers

By: Michael Mike

Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has cried out that members of the association continued to be extorted by bandits and terrorist group, killed by volunteers

The association, while condemning all forms of violence, called on bandits and terrorist groups to put an end to the siege on the country, and lamented ceaseless killing by volunteers who wrongly labeled them as bandits

The association in a signed statement by its National President, Khalil Bello on Sunday condemned all forms of violence and urged bandits and terrorist groups to end their atrocities.

The statement read: “We, the Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN), find ourselves in a moment of great concern. Say it to anyone if you so wish: the shameful, brutal killings of innocent Nigerians, the destruction of properties worth billions of Naira, and the rustling of millions livestock in the Northern part of our country are issues generating heated debate worldwide.

“We are highly worried that our innocent members and law-abiding citizens have now become victims of circumstances. 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.

“Secondly, our members are also vulnerable to Volunteers who, instead of entering the deep forests where the actual Bandits are, always end their operations by killing innocent Pastoralists. Likewise, when the security operatives attack the Bandits, too many times innocent Pastoralists are killed. 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.

“We of KACRAN are also so concerned and state that, if God forbid, an external attack were to happen, our innocent Pastoralists would be the first and the last target, just as they have been during previous attacks by Volunteers or security operatives.

Bello said KACRAN, as an association of peace and unity that is always working hard towards promoting peaceful coexistence between Pastoralists and Farmers, decided to issue this statement and took the following positions.

“KACRAN, for whatsoever reason, rejects in totality and condemns in unmistakable terms any act of killing innocent Nigerians. We call on Bandits, Vigilantees and Volunteers to end their act, which is a heinous crime that has no cause or justification.

“We are highly disturbed and very worried about how people in their real common sense would kill their fellow human being.

“Among the Bandits’ condemnable acts that KACRAN rejects and strongly confirms is the killing in some parts of Katsina, Kano, and Zamfara States where Bandits broke the peace deals reached with some respected peace-loving Communities in Katsina State.

“We are all aware that some few months ago, the people of some Local Governments in Katsina State accepted the Bandits’ deal to reconcile their misunderstanding and live in peace, but 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.”

KACRAN alleged that the security volunteers, on their own part, also, if they want to attack the bandits, instead of going into the deep forest to confront the actual bandits, they unfortunately resort to attacking innocent pastoralists, killing their wives, elderly, and children, as well as stealing their livestock.

The statement further read that: “KACRAN has painfully consider the recent bandits’ attacks as a setback to our move to assist in the amicable solution to the North West and North Central conflict to restore peace, confidence, trust, and unity in the region and the nation at large.

“In the same vein, we call on the Katsina State Government to support the peace accord organized and reached between some Local Government communities in the State to enable them to confiscate the Bandits’ and Volunteers’ weapons to end the insecurity in the state.

“Similarly, KACRAN condemned the Volunteers and Vigilantes recent brutal killing of about 70 innocent Pastoralists and burning their houses in Kebbi State, and passionately appeal to Kebbi State governor to kindly use his good office to immediately stop the continuation of the attack under reference on the people who are operating their pastoral occupation in the most peaceful manners.”

They assured “Katsina, any State in the North West/North Central, and the Federal government that KACRAN is ready to help through dialogue, kinetic, and non-kinetic approaches to end the insurgency in the said North West and North Central regions and the country as a whole.”

KACRAN Cries Our Members Extorted by Bandits and Terrorists, Mislabeled and Killed by Volunteers