Insecurity: ‘222 killed, 774 kidnapped’ in Kaduna between April and June

The Kaduna government says in the last three months, 222 people have been killed, while 774 others have been kidnapped by bandits in the state.

Samuel Aruwan, commissioner for internal security and home affairs, disclosed this in the second quarter security report presented to Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna, on Tuesday.

Aruwan said the report covers the period between April 1 and June 30, 2021.

He said the 222 deaths were caused by banditry attacks, communal clashes and reprisals across the state.

According to the commissioner, 159 of the deaths were recorded in Kaduna central senatorial district, while southern Kaduna and northern Kaduna senatorial districts recorded 54 and nine deaths, respectively.

The commissioner said of the 774 people kidnapped, Kaduna central senatorial district topped the list with 555 people abducted.

“Southern Kaduna senatorial district recorded 164 kidnapped persons, with Kachia LGA reporting the highest number of 111,” he said.

“The northern senatorial district recorded 55 kidnapped persons, with 37 of these from Zaria LGA.

“Furthermore, bandits have begun to extract protection levies from some communities in return for permission to cultivate their fields.

“In total, 239 women and 32 minors were kidnapped in the second quarter across the state.”

The commissioner also disclosed that 20 persons were reported to have been raped across the state during the period, adding that a total of 266 were injured as a result of banditry, violent attacks, reprisals and communal clashes.

According to him, a total of 8,553 heads of cattle were rustled in the period under review, with most stolen from the Kaduna central senatorial district, which accounted for around 5,715 stolen cattle.

El-Rufai, in a government house statement after receiving the reports, said an unconventional approach is required to enable the state government protect its citizens.

“The state government must be empowered and supported by the federal government to make up the manpower deficit in the security sector,” he said.