As fresh waves of violence leave communities in mourning across Northern Nigeria, the Kulen Allah Vitality Self-Reliance Association (KACRAN) has called for an immediate diplomatic solution to end the insecurity that has claimed more than 200 lives in recent attacks in Niger and Kwara states.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the association condemned what it described as a relentless cycle of killings, kidnappings and livestock rustling that has devastated families and crippled rural economies.
It also decried the reported abduction of 176 persons in parts of Kwara State, urging security agencies to ensure their swift and unconditional release.
KACRAN said while the military has continued to confront armed groups across the region, force alone cannot deliver lasting peace.
“Permanent peace is built on trust, dialogue and unity of purpose, not bullets alone,” the association said.
It warned that prolonged militarisation of internal conflicts risks creating more complex and entrenched crises.
The group acknowledged ongoing security interventions under President Bola Tinubu and commended the leadership of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, as well as the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa.
It praised the sacrifices of troops on the frontlines but expressed concern that despite a defence budget exceeding N5 trillion in 2026, attacks continue in several communities.
According to KACRAN, the persistence of violence suggests the need for a complementary political and diplomatic framework to address the root causes of instability, including poverty, youth unemployment, communal mistrust and competition over land and grazing resources.
The association proposed what it termed a “diplomatic roadmap” anchored on three key pillars : coordinated leadership among Northern governors and stakeholders; structured dialogue to rebuild trust between affected communities; and economic reinvestment in agriculture and youth empowerment.
It stressed that redirecting resources toward job creation, infrastructure and holistic agricultural development — spanning crop farming, livestock and fisheries — would undercut the economic incentives driving criminality.
“Peace and security in the North is the bedrock of peace in Nigeria,” said Hon. Khalil Bello, National President of KACRAN, urging Northern leaders to close ranks and take collective responsibility for restoring stability.
“The North has faced years of overlapping security challenges, from banditry and kidnapping to farmer-herder clashes and organized criminal networks.
“Entire villages have been displaced, schools shut down and farmlands abandoned, worsening food insecurity and economic hardship.
“Security analysts note that while military operations have recorded tactical successes, the absence of sustained dialogue and socio-economic reforms has allowed violence to resurface in cycles,” the group said.
KACRAN warned that Nigeria must avoid the prolonged instability seen in conflict-ridden nations, emphasizing that unity and inclusive engagement remain the only viable path to sustainable peace. (vitalnewsngr.com)
