Kaduna State Government has said 1,789 citizens were kidnapped by bandits in six months. The government said 161 bandits were killed in various encounters with security agencies within the same period. 

Commissioner for Internal Security and Homes Affairs in the state, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed this while presenting the second and third security situation reports for 2022 to the state government on Friday. 

Aruwan further said 59 bandits were neutralised by security agents at different locations in the second quarter. 

He said those killed due to banditry, communal clashes and reprisals in this quarter were 285. 

In the third quarter, which he said was from July 1 to September 2022, 804 residents were kidnapped, with 508 of the number recorded in the Kaduna Central senatorial district.

Cattle rustled within the period were 1,133 while 109 bandits were neutralised during engagements with ground forces. 

He also said that a total of 654 suspects were arrested during the period under review. 

Meanwhile, Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, said the insurgency in the North West was dangerous to the 2023 elections and national census if not addressed. 

The governor said a theatre command in the region would enable a holistic approach to counter-insurgency operations across the affected states. He made the statement shortly after receiving the second and third security reports of the state. 

He explained that the state government would continue to do everything within its powers to enhance security. 

He said, “It is our opinion that the insurgency in the North West is not only more serious than what exists in the North East but presents a clear danger to the 2023 elections and census if not nipped in the bud now.”

In his remarks, Minister of Information, Art and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said the Nigerian military had what it takes to handle the security situation in the country. He lamented that the security alert issued recently by the United States of America has set Nigeria in a bad mood.

Daily Trust