How criminals killed 937 people, abduct 1,962 in Kaduna – Govt

Criminals, thugs and bandits have killed at least 937 people and kidnapped 1,962 others in Kaduna, the state government disclosed on Wednesday.

Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said the 937 people were killed in 2020.

Aruwan, during a presentation in Kaduna of the 2020 Security report before traditional rulers, members of the civil society organisations and the media at the Government House in Kaduna, said that despite the challenges, the government in collaboration with security agencies was working hard to bring the problem to an end.

Giving a breakdown, he said Igabi Local Government Area reported the highest figures of deaths with 152, with Zango Kataf local government recording 114 deaths.

Killings by bandits in Kaduna State has become almost a daily affairs, with men of the underworld reigning supreme in the state, with the government seemingly helpless.

Most affected Local Governments are Igabi, Giwa, Chikun, Zango Kataf, Zaria, Kajuru, Kaura and Jemaa. Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai has refused to negotiate with bandits, saying no criminal will go unpunished.

The Kaduna State economy was ranked 15th largest state in Nigerian economy from 2002 to 2008, and it made up 3.3% of Nigerian GDP. While agriculture contributed 30% of SGDP in Kaduna.