The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has stated that the North East Development Commission’s (NEDC) targeted interventions for pastoralist communities represent a critical, yet often overlooked, strategy for achieving lasting peace and security in the region. This endorsement highlights a growing recognition that addressing the root causes of farmer-herder conflict is essential for post-insurgency recovery.
In a detailed statement issued in Damaturu, Alhaji Khalid Muhammad, the National President of KACRAN, commended the NEDC for its recent installation of solar-powered boreholes in the Dangel Lantaiwa ward of Yobe State and the Siddikiyo Jauro Gambo Ribadu ward of Gombe State.
“These projects are not mere infrastructure; they are a vital lifeline,” Muhammad explained. “They directly address the critical challenge of water scarcity in pastoralist concentration centres. For thousands of pastoralists and their livestock, reliable water access means reduced migration pressure, less competition over scarce resources with farming communities, and a greater ability to settle and thrive in designated areas. This is foundational to stability.”
Muhammad positioned the NEDC’s actions as a “model of responsive governance,” praising the commission for demonstrating a “genuine determination to alleviate suffering and enhance social services beyond standard expectations.” He argued that this approach—listening to and addressing the specific needs of pastoralists—is a strategic pivot necessary for holistic rehabilitation in the North-East.
Looking forward, the KACRAN president made a significant policy advocacy. He called for the formal and increased inclusion of livestock development initiatives within the NEDC’s 2026 policies, projects, and programmes. “To ensure equitable recovery, pastoralists must benefit alongside other residents of the region,” Muhammad stated. “We are pleased to note the commission’s positive reaction to this appeal. This willingness to listen and adjust programmes reflects sterling leadership and a commitment to projects that genuinely foster peace and unity.”
This appeal underscores a broader development principle: sustainable peace requires inclusive economic opportunity. By integrating livestock value chains—through veterinary services, pasture development, and market access—into its mandate, the NEDC can help transform pastoralism from a perceived source of conflict into a pillar of regional economic resilience.
To enable this vision, Muhammad called on the Federal Government to ensure the NEDC is adequately funded in the 2026 budget. He emphasized that the commission’s ambitious mandate, which spans reconstruction, rehabilitation, and long-term development, requires consistent financial backing to be effective.
Finally, he highlighted the importance of synergy, noting that the collaboration between the NEDC, North-East Governors, local government chairmen, security agencies, and traditional rulers will be instrumental in accelerating the region’s recovery from the devastation of a more than decade-long insurgency. This multi-stakeholder approach is crucial for ensuring that security gains are cemented by tangible improvements in livelihoods and social services for all communities.
Report by Nabilu Balarabe for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Edited by Yakubu Uba.
