Kidnappings: Kaduna Mulls Relocating Communities ‘Harbouring Informants’

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has said the state government may relocate or clear three communities along Kaduna Abuja highway due to activities of informants in the areas.

The Communities identified are Rijana, Kateri and Akilibu villages all located along the major highway linking the state and federal capital territory.

According to the governor, most of the high profile kidnappings and abductions happen near these three dangerous spots.

He said there were concerns of informants residing in those communities were working for bandits.

El-Rufai, who made the statement during the presentation of first quarter security report for 2022 by the State Commissioner Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said the concerns regarding these communities will be discussed with security agencies and members of his cabinet.

“We will either relocate or clear these three settlements along that road. We will discuss this in our cabinet meeting by looking at all the options including clearing these 3 settlements. This is because there are informants playing vital role in most of the crimes committed along that road,” he said.

El-Rufai also threatened to demolish any patent stores selling illicit drugs in the state, saying bandits and terrorists use these illicit drugs before attacking innocent citizens.

The governor said the deteriorating security situation in the North West is far worse than what the country experienced in North East because members of ISWAP and Boko Haram elements have moved to part of the state.

The Governor also said his administration is looking at the possibility of recruiting additional 1000 vigilantes too add to the already recruited 1000 vigilantes that were trained at the police command last year.

In his remarks, Commissioner Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan said 360 people were killed from January – March 2022 across the state. According to him, 305 were males, 45 females and 11 minors.

He said 1,389 residents were kidnapped, 350 males,420 females and 79 minors while 3251 cattle were rustled within the period under review. 41 bandits were killed by security agencies in different operations carried out while over 60 bandits were also neutralized through air strikes.

El-Rufai Confirms Ansaru’s Presence, To Relocate 3 Suspicious Settlements

By Mohammed I. Yaba
Fri, 20 May 2022 05:31:06 GMT

Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State has confirmed the presence of Ansaru terrorists and other insurgents in the state.

He said the rising presence of Ansaru and Boko Haram terrorists in the state was responsible for the March 28 attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train in which nine people were killed and 62 others kidnapped.

The governor also said the state government might relocate or clear three communities: Rijana, Kateri and Akilibu, along the Kaduna-Abuja highway due to the activities of informants in the areas.

The governor said most of the high profile kidnappings happened near the communities, adding that there were concerns about informants residing in the areas and assisting the bandits.

El-Rufai spoke during the presentation of the first quarter security report for 2022 by the state’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan.

The governor said, “We will either relocate or clear these three settlements along that road. We will discuss this in our cabinet meeting by looking at all the options, including clearing these three settlements. This is because there are informants playing a vital role in most of the crimes committed along that road.”

El-Rufai also threatened to demolish any patent store selling illicit drugs in the state, saying bandits and terrorists were taking them before attacking citizens.

He further said the deteriorating security situation in the North West was far worse than what the country experienced in the North East because members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram elements had moved into the state. The governor also said his administration was looking at the possibility of recruiting additional 1,000 vigilantes to add to the already recruited 1,000 that were trained at the police command last year to assist the security agencies in the fight against banditry.

He lamented that security agencies were overstretched and inadequate, hence the need to recruit more vigilantes.

In his remarks, Aruwan said 360 people, 305 males, 45 females and 11 minors, were killed between January and March 2022 across the state.

He said 1,389 others, 350 males, 420 females and 79 minors, were kidnapped, while 3,251 cattle were rustled within the period under review.

He added that 41 bandits were killed by security agencies in different operations carried out, while over 60 bandits were killed through airstrikes.

Daily Trust had reported that informants were aiding the abduction of travellers on the highway following the abduction of scores on Tuesday near Kurmin Kare Forest, close to Kateri village.

Three communities along Abuja- Kaduna expressway to be relocated

May 19, 2022

Kaduna State government is making plans to relocate three communities along Abuja – Kaduna express way
for alleged connivance with bandits to carry attacks on motorist plying the road

Governor Nasiru Elrufai announced this while receiving the first quarter security report of this year held at government house Kaduna.

Malam Nasiru Elrufai expressed concern that, the security report continues mentioned RIJANA, KATARI and AKILOGU exist especially when bandits carried attacks along road.

According to him, Kaduna State government is being exploring on the measures to take on the three settlements, adding that, it is either to relocate them to near KAGARKO or to CLEAR the entire settlement but he want security council to deliberate on that to look at the options.

He added that, it was very clear, there were higher level of informants and Criminals in the locations.

Malam Nasiru Elrufai also noted that, the problem of insecurity had moved from the North east to the North west region of the country.

He said the situation in the North West is far more serious and dangerous than ever happened in the North East, called on military and security agencies to take notice of that before it go out of control.

He stated that, it was unfortunate despite several efforts to stem criminality in the state, the levels ware still a source of concerned.

According to governor Elrufai, the presentation of the security report has brought out new emerging concerns that he want the security council to take note with a view to discuss and proffer suggestions.

Malam Nasiru Elrufai also expressed concern over high rate of drug abuse in the state, he however commended traditional and religious leaders as well as NDLEA for their effort aimed at addressing problem of drug abuse.

“I think we should give KASUPDA very clear directive that any building or patent stored selling hard drugs should be shutdown and the building acquire by the government and demolish”

“I think the Attorney General can advise either we can legally do this, but I think we have to take drastic action, because related to every form of criminality from the banditry to terrorism to any other crime you can see drugs play a major role.

While presenting the report, Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan explained that the report covered banditry and terrorism, kidnapping, rape perpetrated by armed bandits, cattle rustling, communal and inter ethics clashes, violet attacks and reprisal.

Aruwan noted that, 360 persons died within the first quarter of the this Year as a result of bandits attacks and other clashes, stressing that, Kaduna Central recorded the highest casualties with 214 deaths.

Mr Aruwan said 1389 people were kidnapped during the period while Kaduna Central Senatorial District recorded 1083 while Southern Kaduna recorded 249 kidnapped Cases.

According to him, 10 persons were reported to have been raped by bandits across the state from January to mar h this Year.

The Commissioner also revealed that, 258 citizens were injured across the stsz die to banditry , terrorism and violent attack among others.

Mr Samuel Aruwan also disclosed that, 3251 animals were rustled in the first quarter with 3137 stolen from Kaduna Central.

The report also indicated that, gunrunners were intercepted and arrested with 18 AK rifles, seven Sub machine guns, five pump action rifles and nine resolvers as well as 22 AK 47 Magazine, 5 pump action cartridges and 1195 round of live ammunition.

He added that, more intensive engagement have been initiated towards mitigating the threat of terrorism elements.

Reporting by Aminu Dalhatu; Editing by Abdullahi Lamino

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