The Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, on Thursday, expressed concern over the dreaded Boko Haram and the Ansaru terrorists in two local government areas of Birnin-Gwari and Giwa in the state.
El-Rufai noted that the insecurity challenge in the North-East has moved to the North-West, adding that bandits are planning to relocate from Sambisa to Kaduna forest.
The governor stated this while receiving the 2022 First Quarter Security Report at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna in the state capital.
The report presented by the State Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said 360 persons were killed by bandits and terrorists, or in violent communal clashes in the state between January and March 2022.
El-Rufai explained that one of the kidnapped victims, who happened to be his roommate while in the university, told him that the terrorists, in one of their conversations, said the “forest in Kaduna is better than that of Sambisa, so they should all relocate here.”
He noted that with the presence of the terror groups, the problem of insecurity had moved from the North-East to the North-West.
The governor said, “It is unfortunate that in spite of our investment in human, material, and other resources to stem the tide of criminality in the state, the levels are still a source of concern.
“This presentation has brought out emerging concerns that I will want the security council to take note of and discuss and maybe proffer some suggestions.
“The first great concern is the emergence of Boko Haram terrorists enclave and activities of Ansaru, particularly in Birnin-Gwari and Chikun local government area.
“Among those kidnapped from the train was a former roommate and classmate of mine who was released upon payment of a ransom, and throughout the period that he was in captivity, it was very clear that the terrorists were making comments like the forests in Kaduna are even better than Sambisa, so, they should all relocate here. I think this is an area we should all be concerned about.
“That is why we have been making the point that the problem of insecurity now has moved from the North-East to the North-West. What is happening in the North-West is far more serious and potentially more dangerous than we have ever had in the North-East. We will like the military and other security agencies to notice this before it gets out of control.”
El-Rufai also expressed concern that terrorists are now into in bomb-making, saying this is “because Boko Haram and Ansaru elements have moved into the state.”
He also said approval would soon be given to the Kaduna State Vigilance Service to recruit an additional 1,000 personnel to complement the efforts of the military, police, and other security agencies in the fight against terrorism in the state.
Bandits kill 360, kidnap 1,389 in three months
Meanwhile, earlier in his presentation, the commissioner noted that of the 360 people killed across the state, Kaduna Central Senatorial District was worse hit with 214 deaths, adding that 210 of these occurred in Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Igabi, Chikun, and Kajuru local government areas of the state.
He disclosed that 1,389 people were kidnapped across the state in three months. The Kaduna Central Senatorial zone accounted for 1,083, with 1,080 of the incidents occurring in Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Igabi, Chikun, and Kajuru LGAs.
While breaking down the figures, Aruwan said that 287 people were kidnapped from Chikun LGA, 263 from Igabi LGA, and Kajuru recorded 203 kidnapped persons, Birnin Gwari LGA ,169, and Giwa LGA, 158.
“Southern Kaduna Senatorial District recorded 249 kidnapped persons, with Kachia LGA reporting the highest number of 207. The Northern Kaduna Senatorial District recorded 57 kidnapped persons, with 29 of these from Zaria LGA,” he said.
Speaking further, the commissioner disclosed that 10 women, including six minors, were raped by bandits between January and March, adding that “there are certainly more unreported cases of rape by bandits and only reported cases are highlighted.”
Aruwan continued that during the period under review, no fewer than 3,251 cattle were rustled, with 3,137 stolen from the Kaduna Central Senatorial District, while Kajuru had the highest figure of rustled animals with 1,600.
Terrorists kill 12, kidnap 13 in Southern Kaduna in four days
The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, on Thursday, said that 12 persons, including a 75-year-old, were killed in various Southern Kaduna communities in four days, while 13 were abducted by bandits.
The spokesperson of SOKAPU, Luka Binniyat, who stated this in a statement, also said that as the 2023 general elections approach, over 200,000 have been displaced by violence from over 145 communities in five LGAs in Southern Kaduna.
He said, “The unrelenting assault on Southern Kaduna communities also recorded more tragedies as armed herdsmen attacked Chen Shye or Didiong community in Gorah ward, Zangon Kataf LGA.
“After the attack, 6 persons were left dead. They are: Ishaya Shinkut (m) 70; Hanatu Hosea (female) 27; Tabitha Danladi (f) 42; Celina Danladi (f) 42; Felix Hosea (m) 7; and Talatu Gabriel (f) 4.
“In the same manner, on May 16, 2022, armed men invaded Pavilion Estate, Gidan Waya town, Jemaa LGA with the sole aim of kidnapping students of Kaduna State College of Education, Gidan Waya. They succeeded in taking away the following female students: Racheal Edwin, 24, a 200 Level Biology/Geography student; and Esther Ishaya, 23, an Economics/History 200 level student. The remaining two are Beauty Luka, 23, a 300 Level Special Needs/CRS student; and Promise Tanimu, 22, an English/History 200 Level student.
“The kidnappers have established contact and demanded N45 million in ransom.”
