Kaduna insecurity: 1,266 killed, 4,973 abducted in 15 months
No fewer than 1,266 persons were killed in Kaduna State in attacks by bandits/terrorists and communal clashes between last year and the first quarter of this year.
Out of the total figure, 1,052 were killed in 2022 alone and 214 between January and March 2023.
The number of persons injured during the period was put at 116.
Also, 4,973 persons were kidnapped in the state in the last 15 months.
The figures were given yesterday by the state’s Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, in Kaduna.
Aruwan, who presented the state’s security reports to Governor Nasir El-Rufai, added that 12 females, including 10 minors, were raped by bandits.
El-Rufai, who expressed worry and “pain” over the losses, prayed “for the repose of the souls” of the deceased.
Aruwan stated further that 717 bandits were neutralised in the 15 months under review.This comprised the 628 killed by troops in 2022 and 89 in the first quarter of 2023.
The commissioner said: “In Kaduna Central Senatorial District, 115 deaths were recorded (54 per cent of the total). 108 of these occurred in Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Igabi, Chikun and Kajuru Local Government Areas(LGAs). “Giwa and Birnin Gwari LGAs each recorded 32 deaths, Chikun LGA 25, Igabi LGA 13, and Kajuru LGA six deaths in the first quarter of 2023.”
He added that Southern Kaduna Senatorial District recorded 61 deaths in the period under review.
According to him, the pattern of attacks, reprisals, and deadly communal and inter-ethnic clashes “came to play in Zangon Kataf LGA, where 19 people died. 12 persons were killed in Sanga LGA during the first three months of 2023″.
“The Northern Senatorial District recorded 38 people killed in the first quarter and 22 deaths occurring in Zaria LGA.
El-Rufai explained that the reports detailed data on the persistence of the security challenges in the state. He called for escalation of security operations in the Northwest ahead of the May 29 inauguration of new governments.
The governor said: “The two reports indicate the persistence of security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, and the unfortunate toll in killings, kidnappings, injuries and threats to the livelihoods of our people.
“We regret the pain and losses, pray for the repose of the souls of those killed, pay tribute to the victims of various crimes and reiterate our solidarity with them.
“As the statistics presented show, there has been some slight year-on-year improvement in fatalities and other incidences of criminality across the state between 2021 and 2022. “
“The Kaduna State Government does its level best to prevent these sad events through institutional measures and pragmatic actions on the ground. These measures include persistent pressures on the Federal Government to launch comprehensive and sustained military operations against the terrorists and criminal elements that are menacing our people and their lives, liberty and livelihoods.
“We thank the Federal Government for finally authorising the launch of combined military and police offensives. We commend the military and security forces for their efforts and sacrifices as they work to uproot criminals. I wish to stress that in this region, this vital mission requires a comprehensive and consistent sweep, across the Northwest and Niger state for sustained success.
“We appeal for an escalation of security operations over the 39 days remaining till the end of the tenure of this administration and beyond so that the change of baton at the federal level does not result in a dangerous lull that criminal outlaws can exploit.
“There is every reason to intensify and sustain simultaneous ground and air kinetic actions across the seven frontline states of the Northwest region and Niger which have continuous and contiguous forest ranges and are most heavily impacted by this security challenge.” Punch
