No fewer than 1,266 residents of Kaduna state were killed in acts of banditry, terrorism, attacks and violent clashes, while 4,973 persons were kidnapped in the last 15 months in across the state, according to a security report.
Kaduna state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, who disclosed this on Wednesday April 19, 2023, while presenting the Security Report of Kaduna state for the first quarter of 2023 and that of the entire 2022, said 764 people were injured during the attacks, as 37 females were raped and 14,961 cattle were rustled across the state.
Aruwan said in 2022 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 4 children) were killed between January and March 2023, in attacks by bandits/terrorists, communal clashes, violent attacks, and reprisals.
According to the Commissioner, “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.”
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, a total of 89 bandits were killed during engagements with ground forces (Military and Police) at various locations in the state.
Also on those who were injured in the attacks, Aruwan said 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.
