Kaduna State Government says no fewer than 323 persons were killed and 949 kidnapped in the last three months across the State.
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan announced this while giving security situation in the State for the first quarter of 2021.
According to him, out of the figure of those killed, 20 were women and 11 are minors.
He said 236 of the deaths were recorded in Kaduna Central Senatorial District which includes Birning Gwari, Giwa, Igabi, Chikun and Kajuru Local Governments with Birnin Gwari recording highest figure of 77 deaths followed by Chikun and Kajuru with 52 and 20 deaths respectively.
Mr Aruwan revealed that Southern Senatorial District had 68 deaths in total wit which five women killed.
The Commissioner explained that out of the 949 people Kidnapped in the first quarter, Kaduna Central Senatorial District accounted for 782, Southern Kaduna 129 while Kaduna North Senatorial recorded 38.
Mr Samuel Aruwan pointed out that Northern Kaduna Senatorial District was the least affected zone with 19 people killed.
The Commissioner further disclosed that two hundred of forty four citizens were also injured across the state as a result of banditry, violent attacks, reprisal and communal clashes while 3289 cattle were rustled across the state in the last three month.
He said a total of 64 bandits were neutralize during engagements with ground forces such as military and police force in various areas across the state.
Samuel Aruwan said the state government remains open for Collaboration with credible persons and institutions toward the tackling of insecurity bevelling the society.
“Multiple scores of bandits were neutralised via about 150 targeted aerial missions conducted by the Nigerian Airforce. These missions were initiated based on credible intelligence of bandit activity and locations of camps, which were targeted and destroyed”.
“Several gunrunners have been intercepted and arrested with arms and ammunition recovered in the first quarter. 36 AK47 Rifles, 1959 rounds of live ammunition and one rocket propelled grenade were recovered.
“Vigorous investigations are ongoing towards dismantling more gun-running 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”.
In a remark, Governor Nasiru Elrufai said it is time for all good citizens of the country to unite to support and pray for the nation security agencies to succed in the fight against banditry.
He said the emergency meeting was conveyed not only to receive the security situation in Kaduna state for the first quarter of 2021, but also to brainstorm on what more can be done to make the state better.
Elrufai lamented how the bandits were moving from rural areas to urban communities, stressing that the nation security agencies need alot of resources to continue discharging their duty effectively.
Governor Nasiru Elrufai gave an assurance that the state government is doing everything possible to make schools safer.
Traditional rulers, head of various security agencies and some members of the state council attended the meeting.
AMINU DALHATU