By Paul Onwude.
A total of 1,192 people were killed in Kaduna State as a result of banditry, violent attacks, communal clashes and reprisal attacks in 2021.
The State Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samual Aruwan also disclosed that 3,348 persons were kidnapped in the state while there was 48 reported banditry-related rape cases within the period.
Aruwan made the disclosure during the presentation of the 2021 Kaduna State Annual Security Report, to Governor Nasir El-Rufai in Government House
Reacting to the report, Governor El-Rufai calculated that “an average of 9 persons were kidnapped daily across Kaduna State, mostly in the Kaduna Central Senatorial district.” And that ” there is also an escalation in the number of person’s killed by a whopping 255 compared to those killed by bandits and criminals in 2020 inspite of efforts in supporting the Federal Security Agencies to bring an end to the phenomenon” he explained.
The Governor used the occasion to solicit for the cooperation of the Northwestern State Governors to address the challenge. He also re-emphasized the ban on sales of petroleum in jerry cans, weekly bush markets, motorbikes and others.
He said, “The tragic events of 2021 reported today to reinforce the importance of collaboration as a security tool. Governors of five frontline states in the North-west zone and Niger State continue to share information and press for the security agencies for a sustained campaign of continuous, simultaneous operations against the terrorists across our vast region”
“The states implemented several measures including the telecoms shutdown as recommended by the security agencies to enable kinetic operations. We commend our people for the sacrifices they made during the shutdown. I want to reiterate that some of the measures like prohibition of (a) the sale of petroleum products, (b) operation of weekly markets in selected areas, and (c) use of motorcycles remain in place until we see clear progress in the fight against the terrorists.”
“We are in no doubt that there must be an urgent national effort to strengthen our security forces. The military and police need modern technology, advanced armaments, equipment, and more boots on the ground. The security of our communities depends on the robust projection of state power, and that can only be done with sufficient security personnel to overawe and deter criminals. The prerogatives of the state need to be asserted, not merely proclaimed. The people we put in uniform must never be placed in avoidable danger, outgunned or outnumbered by non-state actors.”
“It is when the terrorists are decimated that ‘soft’, non-kinetic peacebuilding will gain traction. Part of the soft tools we have developed in Kaduna State is the Peace Commission, empowered to engage our communities and incline them towards a peaceful resolution of differences. We are also supporting the House of Kaduna Family as a vital platform for religious leaders to promote common humanity across our diversity.”
” We note with sadness once again, the escalation of violence in Zangon-Kataf Chiefdom, which appears to be rapidly spilling into the Chawai part of Kauru Local Government. We condemn the disregard for human life and the violations of law that are fuelling the crisis. We sympathize with the affected communities. This outbreak of violence is a serious challenge to the community-level peace process initiated by His Highness, the Agawam of Zangon Kataf and community leaders in the area. While the security agencies keep trying their best, the peacemakers on the ground should not be discouraged. Peace is worth every effort, despite the setbacks encountered”
“We continue to emphasize that as a state government, we do not believe that there is any phenomenon like ‘repentant bandits’. Any person that makes a conscious decision to secure arms, challenges the authority of the Nigerian state and threatens the lives and property of Nigerians does not deserve to live or be granted any concession by society. There are no immediate or remote causes to justify terrorist conduct. Those that hide behind these are either ethnic jingoists, religious apologists, or fail to recognize that no legitimate government can survive by tolerating terrorists or negotiating with those that menace law-abiding citizens.”
“While acknowledging their efforts and sacrifices of lives and limb, we, therefore, urge our military, police and other security agencies to ensure coordinated actions and intensify simultaneous kinetic operations against these terrorists until they are decimated to the point of surrender”
The Kaduna State Government appealed to the Federal Government to create a Theatre Command similar to the situation in the North-East to confront the insurgency that has clearly emerged in five states of the North-West and Niger State with continuous and contiguous forest ranges.”
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” The creation of such a Theatre Command will enable a holistic approach to counter-insurgent operations across the six affected states and the enhanced coordination of the resources of the Armed Forces, the Police, the SSS, our respective State Vigilance Services, hunters and other local volunteers to fight the insurgents.”
” Let me at this juncture, extend our sincere gratitude to our Emirs and Chiefs for being the leading and influential anchors of peaceful coexistence in our various communities. Our Peace Commissioners and the House of Kaduna Family deserve exceptional recognition and our gratitude”
“We are grateful to the security agencies, particularly the Army, Air Force, Navy, Police, Civil Defence, SSS, our State Vigilance Service, and KASTLEA for constant collaboration with our Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs in the hard work of securing the state.
