Kaduna: How bandits killed 1,266, kidnapped 4,973 in 15 months – Official report

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Kaduna State Government in the reviewed 2022 Annual and First Quarter 2023 Security Report has revealed that within 15 months period, a total of 1,266 persons were killed while 4,973 persons kidnapped respectively in the state.
The report was presented by the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, to the State Executive Council on the 19th April, 2023.
Aruwan, while analysing the security challenges, said they include; terrorism, banditry, and the unfortunate toll in killings, kidnappings, injuries and threats to the livelihoods of the people.
He regretted the pain and losses, and prayed for the repose of the souls of those killed, paid tribute to the victims of various crimes and reiterated solidarity with them.
According to him, the security reports were published in fulfilment of the obligation of transparency that the government owes the residents of Kaduna State.
He opined that just as the residents have a right to update on the progress in investments, revenue generation and other happy events, they equally have legitimate expectations to be provided with consistently accurate accounts of what is going on and on the measures being taken to address security challenges.
While receiving the report, the State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, called for an escalation of security operations over the 39 days remaining till the end of the current administration.
He particularly called for intensified and sustained 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 the security challenge.
El-Rufai said the reports on the security situation in the State present detailed data on the persistence of the security challenges in the state.
He explained that: “The two reports just presented by Samuel Aruwan, our Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, indicates 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.
“We hope that with your combined efforts, this downward trend will continue towards zero in the shortest possible time.
“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 note with gratitude that the military initiated offensive security operations against the bandits in the last half of 2022.
“As observed earlier, this helped to improve the security situation in many of our communities, but these operations must obviously be widened and sustained as the most effective way to protect our people and uphold law and order.
“We thank the Federal Government for finally authorising the launch of these combined military and police offensives.
“We commend the military and security forces for their efforts and sacrifices as they work to uproot the criminals.
“I wish to stress that in this region, this vital mission requires a comprehensive and consistent sweep, across the Northwest and Niger states for sustained success”.
He continued: “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.
“On our part, the Kaduna State Government will continue to do everything within the powers of a state to enhance security.
“We have invested considerable resources and energy in managing security to the extent that the Constitution of our nation permits a subnational.
“Our interventions since 2015 include supporting the federal security agencies deployed in our state with vehicles and other logistics, collaborating with other frontline states to fund military operations in the 2015-2016 period and investments in security infrastructure and technology.
“But the extent of interventions in security by the State Government can do is constitutionally limited.
“The Federal Government has to more vigorously exercise its constitutional powers and urgently spearhead a national effort to strengthen our security forces.
“The Federal Government has to sustain the effort to promptly address the needs of the the SSS, military and police for modern technology, advanced armaments, equipment and more boots on the ground”.
Governor El-Rufai however expressed gratitude to the security agencies, particularly the Army, Air Force, Navy, Police, Civil Defence, SSS and others for constant collaboration with the state’s Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs in the hard work of securing the state.