A total of 323 persons were killed and 949 kidnapped by bandits in the last three months across Kaduna state, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, has disclosed.
Speaking while presenting the state’s security report for the first quarter of 2021, Aruwan, however, said the military troops killed 64 bandits and arrested several others during the period under review.
“The report also includes the aerial missions conducted over identified bandit hideouts and locations across the state, during which multiple scores of bandits were engaged and neutralised, with their camps destroyed.
“Deaths linked to banditry, violent attacks, communal clashes and reprisals in the first quarter total 323 across the state. Of this, 20 were women and 11 were minors.
“Vigorous investigations are ongoing towards dismantling more gunrunning networks and block arms routes into the state, as these are central to the perpetuation of violence and armed banditry, through the trade in small arms and light weapons,” he said.
“Out of the 323 citizens killed, 292 were males. About 236 of the deaths occurred in Birnin Gwari, Chikun, Igabi, Giwa and Kajuru LGAs. Birnin Gwari recorded the highest figure of 77 deaths, followed by Chikun with 52, Igabi 45,Giwa 42, Kajuru 20 deaths in the first quarter. Southern Kaduna Senatorial District had 68 deaths in total, of which five were women and two below the age of 18.
“Kajuru had 28 deaths, followed by Zangon Kataf with 14 and Kagarko with 12. And the Northern senatorial zone is the least affected with 19 people killed and Zaria has the highest casualty of six. Multiple scores of bandits were neutralised via about 150 targeted aerial missions conducted by the Niger Air Force,” he said.
