Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Thursday, expressed concern over the presence of the dreaded Boko Haram and the Ansaru terrorists in two local government areas of Birnin-Gwari and Giwa in the state.

El-Rufai noted that the insecurity challenge in the Northeast has moved to the Northwest, adding that bandits are planning to relocate from Sambisa to Kaduna forest.

The governor stated this while receiving the 2022 First Quarter Security Report at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna in the state capital.

The report presented by the State Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said 360 persons were killed by bandits and terrorists, or in violent communal clashes in the state between January and March 2022.

El-Rufai explained that one of the kidnapped victims, who happened to be his roommate while in the university, told him that the terrorists, in one of their conversations, said the “forest in Kaduna is better than that of Sambisa, so they should all relocate here.”

He noted that with the presence of the terror groups, the problem of insecurity had moved from the Northeast to the Northwest.

The governor said, “It is unfortunate that in spite of our investment in human, material, and other resources to stem the tide of criminality in the state, the levels are still a source of concern.

“This presentation has brought out emerging concerns that I will want the security council to take note of and discuss and maybe proffer some suggestions.

“The first great concern is the emergence of Boko Haram terrorists enclave and activities of Ansaru, particularly in Birnin-Gwari and Chikun local government area.

“Among those kidnapped from the train was a former roommate and classmate of mine who was released upon payment of a ransom, and throughout the period that he was in captivity, it was very clear that the terrorists were making comments like the forests in Kaduna are even better than Sambisa, so, they should all relocate here. I think this is an area we should all be concerned about.

“That is why we have been making the point that the problem of insecurity now has moved from the Northeast to the Northwest. What is happening in the Northwest is far more serious and potentially more dangerous than we have ever had in the Northeast. We will like the military and other security agencies to take note of this before it gets out of control.”

El-Rufai also expressed concern that terrorists are now into in bomb-making, saying this is “because Boko Haram and Ansaru elements have moved into the state.”

He also said approval would soon be given to the Kaduna State Vigilance Service to recruit an additional 1,000 personnel to complement the efforts of the military, police, and other security agencies in the fight against terrorism in the state.

Bandits kill 360, kidnap 1,389 in three months

Meanwhile, earlier in his presentation, the commissioner noted that of the 360 people killed across the state, Kaduna Central Senatorial District was worse hit with 214 deaths, adding that 210 of these occurred in Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Igabi, Chikun, and Kajuru local government areas of the state.

He disclosed that 1,389 people were kidnapped across the state in three months. Kaduna Central Senatorial zone accounted for 1,083, with 1,080 of the incidents occurring in Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Igabi, Chikun, and Kajuru LGAs.

While breaking down the figures, Aruwan said that 287 people were kidnapped from Chikun LGA, 263 from Igabi LGA, and Kajuru recorded 203 kidnapped persons, Birnin Gwari LGA, 169, and Giwa LGA, 158.

“Southern Kaduna Senatorial District recorded 249 kidnapped persons, with Kachia LGA reporting the highest number of 207. The Northern Kaduna Senatorial District recorded 57 kidnapped persons, with 29 of these from Zaria LGA,” he said.

Speaking further, the commissioner disclosed that 10 women, including six minors, were raped by bandits between January and March, adding that “there are certainly more unreported cases of rape by bandits and only reported cases are highlighted.”

Aruwan continued that during the period under review, no fewer than 3,251 cattle were rustled, with 3,137 stolen from the Kaduna Central Senatorial District, while Kajuru had the highest figure of rustled animals with 1,600.

Punch