With some 39 days to May 29 handover date, Kaduna state Governor Nasir el-Rufai has called o the federal government to escalate security operations to prevent a dangerous lull during the transition period for criminals to exploit.
Governor el-Rufai spoke Wednesday in Kaduna while reviewing the 2022 Annual Security Report and First Quarter 2023 Security Report presented by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan.
Specifically, the governor called for intensified and sustained simultaneous ground and air kinetic actions across the seven frontline states of the North-west region and Niger state, which he said, had continuous and contiguous forest ranges and most heavily impacted by the security challenge.
“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 North-west 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 sub national.
“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,” he said.
Governor 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 said: “Though grim, these reports are published in fulfilment of the obligation of transparency that the government owes the residents of this state. Just as they have a right to updates on the progress in investments, revenue generation and other happy events, citizens have legitimate expectations to be provided with consistently accurate accounts of what is going on and the measures being taken to address security challenges.
“The two reports just presented by Samuel Aruwan, our Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, 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. 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.”
The governor, 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.
‘1,266 residents killed, 4,973 kidnapped’
In his presentation, Aruwa said no fewer than 1,266 residents of the state were killed in acts of banditry, terrorism, attacks and violent clashes, while 4,973 persons were kidnapped and 764 people injured in the last 15 months across the state.
Similarly, he said 37 females were raped and 14,961 cattle were rustled across the state under the same period.
In 2022 alone, Aruwan said a total of 1,052 residents were killed (947 men, 82 women and 23 children), while 4,227 people were kidnapped.
He said 214 persons (194 men, 14 women and four children) were killed between January and March 2023 in attacks by bandits/terrorists, communal clashes, violent attacks and reprisals.
“In Kaduna Central Senatorial District, 115 deaths were recorded (54% of the total), 108 of these occurred in Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Igabi, Chikun and Kajuru local governments. Giwa and Birnin Gwari local governments each recorded 32 deaths, Chikun LG 25, Igabi LG 13, and Kajuru LG six deaths in the first quarter of 2023.
“Southern Kaduna Senatorial District recorded 61 deaths in the period under review. The pattern of attacks, reprisals, and deadly communal and inter-ethnic clashes between attacks by bandits came to play in Zangon Kataf LG, where 19 people died. Twelve 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, with 22 deaths occurring in Zaria LG,” Aruwan further said.
On kidnapping in 2023, he said: “A total of 746 people were kidnapped in the first quarter, with Kaduna Central Senatorial District accounting for 492 (about 66% of the total). All of these occurred in Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Igabi, Chikun and Kajuru LGAs, 137 people were kidnapped from Birnin Gwari LG, and 131 from Igabi LG. Giwa LG recorded 100 kidnapped persons, Chikun LG 83, and Kajuru LG 41.
“Southern Kaduna Senatorial District recorded 221 kidnapped persons, with Kachia LGA reporting the highest number of 95. Sixty three people were kidnapped in Kagarko LG and 46 from Kauru LG. The Northern Senatorial District recorded 33 kidnapped persons, with 17 of these from Lere LGA. In total, 254 women and 42 minors were kidnapped in the first quarter across the state.
“Twelve persons were reported to have been raped by bandits across the state from January to March 2023, 10 of these were minors. There are certainly many more unreported cases of rape by armed bandits, and only reported cases are highlighted. Five cases were reported in the Northern Senatorial District, comprising four minors. Four rape cases were reported from the Kaduna Central District, with three victims below the age of 18, three cases were recorded in the Southern Kaduna District, all minors.”
In the first quarter of 2023, he said a total of 89 bandits were killed during engagements with ground forces (Military and Police) at various locations in the state. Aruwan further said d 116 persons were injured, while 3,247 animals were rustled in the state in the first quarter.
He said gunrunners were intercepted and arrested with large quantities of arms and ammunition recovered from them.
Lagos prays
Meanwhile, ahead of the May 29 date, Lagos state Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu held special prayer session for the incoming administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu during which supplications were made for peaceful transfer of power and progress in the country.
Sanwo-Olu also committed his second term in office to the hand God, and sought divine guidance in addressing challenges confronting Lagos.
The prayer was held during the yearly Ramadan Lecture organised by Lagos lesser Hajj pilgrims in Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where the governor was represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat.
Dignitaries at the event held at Makarem Ajyad Hotels include Lagos Chief Judge Kazeem Alogba, Commissioner for Home Affairs Anofiu Elegushi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Affairs Abdullahi Ahmad, Chairman of Governance Advisory Council (GAC) Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Prince Rabiu Oluwa and Chairman of Lagos Muslim Pilgrims Board Alhaji AbdulGafar Mofesaiye.
Sanwo-Olu said Makkah remained the rallying point for the Muslims, noting that Muslim pilgrims from Lagos used the occasion of the spiritual journey to offer prayers for the country, Lagos and their fellow countrymen.
He said: “We believe prayers have been helpful for us to achieve our objectives and sustain our unity. In Lagos, we usually commit everything we do to prayer and God willing; things have been really promising for us.”
According to a press statement signed Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Gboyega Akosile, Hamza, the governor’s representative, described Tinubu’s victory in the last general election as an “answered prayer” for Nigerians.
He said: “We’re not saying all our problems will be solved in one day when Tinubu takes the mantle of leadership next month, but his plans will redefine governance and change the narrative of development of the country.
“We are here to pray for guidance, sustenance, wisdom and good health to enable him pilot the affairs of our country. As citizens, we must be patient to understand that governance is a process; we must give the government the leeway to articulate its priorities and satisfy the yearnings of the countrymen.
“Election is over but there is still a lot of pent-up anger largely driven by hatred. We must all calm our frayed nerves and embrace one another. We are all humans equal before God and the law. As a State, we have been projecting tolerance in Lagos and we will continue to do so. All Nigerians must see themselves as one, because without peace there can’t be progress.”
In his lecture taking from Surat An-Naml (Quran 27: 15-19), Professor Wale Paramole, said Muslims must always remember the mercy of Allah over their affairs by constantly showing gratitude to the Almighty through establishment of prayers and keeping faith with the commandments of Allah.
