No fewer than 937 people were killed by bandits in Kaduna State in 2020. This is according to a report submitted to the state government by the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs.
The report, which was submitted to Governor Nasir El-Rufai by the commissioner in charge of the ministry, Samuel Aruwan, added that 1,972 residents were kidnapped by the bandits.
El-Rufai, while receiving the report, vowed not to dialogue nor give amnesty to bandits in the state, vowing that his administration will not in any way pamper criminals.
Further information by the report revealed that 7,195 cattle were rustled across the state within the period and that Kaduna Central senatorial zone topped the death toll chart with 617.
Igabi, Kajuru and Birnin Gwari – all in the senatorial district – had the highest death figures of 152, 144 and 122 respectively.
The report was submitted in the presence of top dignitaries in the state.
Among them are royal fathers including Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamali; Emir or Birnin-Gwari, Alhaji Zubairu Jibril Maigwari II and Agwatyap.
Others include all senators from the state, security chiefs in the state and prominent clerics including Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, who joined virtually.
Governor El-Rufai, who is not pleased with the activities of the bandits in his state said efforts must be geared towards flushing out banditry and other criminal elements in the state immediately.
He also reiterated the need to decentralize police in the country, adding that “there are simply not enough police officers and the idea of policing such a vast Federal Republic in a unitary manner is not pragmatic.”
In the report, the commissioner explained that “victims of criminal acts like banditry and kidnapping are to be found across ethnic, religious or political leanings and persuasions.”
According to him, Birnin Gwari, Igabi, Giwa and Chikun local government areas in Kaduna Central senatorial district account for 468 deaths out of the 937 people that died last year (representing over 50 per cent of the entire fatalities in the state).
“The southern senatorial district accounts for 286 deaths, which is about one-third of the total, due in large part to sporadic clashes, alongside banditry which triggered attacks and counter-attacks, especially between June and November 2020.
“Out of the 1,972 people kidnapped in the period under review, Kaduna Central Senatorial district accounts for 1,561 and out of the total, 1,461 were kidnapped within Birnin Gwari, Igabi, Giwa and Chikun local government areas.’’ he said.
Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamali and Emir of Birnin-Gwari, Alhaji Zubairu Jibril Maigwari II, lamented the activities of the bandits.
They all pledged to work with the governor to ensure good security of the state.