The Kaduna State government has disclosed that a total of 446 people lost their lives in the state to attacks by bandits and communal clashes from April to September, 2022.
The figure comprised 285 killed in the second quarter of the year and 161 who lost their lives in the third quarter.
Samuel Aruwan, the commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, stated this while presenting the 2022 second and third quarter report on security to Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Friday.
He also said that 985 persons were kidnapped during the period, with 804 of those in the third quarter, while five persons each were raped in the second and third quarter.
The commissioner said 258 persons were injured in the second quarter and 156 in the third quarter, while 5,999 and 1,133 animals were rustled in the two quarters, respectively.
Mr Aruwan, however, said a total of 74 AK-47 rifles, five locally made rifles, 5,398 live ammunition, and 11 pump action magazines were intercepted during the period.
The commissioner further said that 168 bandits were neutralised by troops within the period, with 59 killed in the second quarter and 109 in the third quarter.
He warned that the activities of bandits had adversely impacted farming activities including livestock production.
The commissioner said it was important to block the flow of illicit drugs fueling the criminals, adding that the main sources of funding for the bandits are ransoms from kidnappings.
Mr Aruwan stated other sources of funding for the bandits to include gun running and leasing of weapons to groups who lacked the capacity to acquire weapons.
He said the state will continue to strengthen its intelligence network to stay ahead of the criminals.
(NAN)