About 214 people had been killed in Kaduna State between January and March this year, a new report released by the state government has said.
The deaths were resulting from attacks by bandits and terrorists, communal clashes, violent attacks, and reprisals.
This was revealed in the Annual Security Report for 2023, presented by the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, in Kaduna on Wednesday.
The report said the 214 victims include 14 females, 196 males, and four minors in the three senatorial districts.
According to the government, 746 others were kidnapped within the period.
Aruwan said 89 bandits were also murdered in encounters with ground forces, military, and police across the state within the period.
The report revealed that five bandits were killed in fratricidal clashes within themselves, bringing the number of bandits’ deaths to 94 and scores killed in air strikes.
Kaduna Central Senatorial District recorded 115 deaths with 108 of them occurring in Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Igabi, Chikun, and Kajuru LGAs. Giwa and Birnin Gwari LGAs each recorded 32 deaths, Chikun LGA 25, Igabi 13, and Kajuru six deaths within the first quarter.
Kaduna South Senatorial District recorded 61 deaths, but most were due to reprisal and communal clashes in Zangon Kataf with 19 deaths and 12 killed in Sanga LGA.
Kaduna North District recorded 38 deaths, with 22 occurring in Zaria LGA.
A total of 746 people were kidnapped in the first quarter with Kaduna Central Senatorial District accounting for 492 (about 66% of the total). All of these occurred in Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Igabi, Chikun and Kajuru LGAs.
Also, 137 people were kidnapped from Birnin Gwari LGA, and 131 from Igabi LGA. Giwa LGA recorded 100 kidnapped persons, Chikun LGA 83, and Kajuru LGA 41.
According to the report, 221 persons were kidnapped in Southern Kaduna Senatorial District with Kachia LGA reportedly recording the highest number of 95. Sixty-three people were kidnapped in Kagarko LGA, and 46 from Kauru LGA.
The Northern Senatorial District recorded 33 kidnapped persons with 17 of these from Lere LGA.
Aruwan said in all, 254 women and 42 minors were kidnapped in the first quarter in the state, adding that in the 4th quarter of 2022, 246 victims were killed due to deaths linked to banditry and other crimes in the state.
This is a reduction in the number of people kidnapped compared to the figure presented in the 4th quarter report of 2022 where 1,049 were kidnapped.
A total of 116 citizens (all adults, with only six women) were injured across the state due to banditry and terrorism, among others. In the 4th quarter of 2022, 140 were injured.
