The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar in his two-day operational visit to Kaduna has commended the troops for their efforts in securing the state amid its safety challenges.
His visit, according to the ministry’s Director of Public Relations, Henshaw Ogubike was aimed to “boost the morale of troops across military formations.”
Ogubike noted that the minister was also in Kaduna to assess the military’s operational capacity and strategic coordination to ensure enduring peace and stability in the region.
He visited military formations including the Headquarters Sub-Sector 3 Joint Task Force Operation Fansan Yamma Birnin Gwari, 1 Division Area of Responsibility, Pole Wire Military Camp, and the Air Training Command of the Nigeria Air Force.
While commending the troops, the minister praised them for their resilience and hard work, which according to him led to significant security improvements in Birnin Gwari.
“For the last six months, we have not heard of any kidnapping or ambush of civilians, aside from one or two engagements with bandits by the troops,” he said.
It is, however, uncertain if the above statement was focused on Birnin Gwari alone or the entire state.
However, he extended the goodwill of the president, who he said acknowledged the efforts of the troops to end the menace of banditry and other forms of criminalities in the region.
The minister further recognised the significant security improvements in Birnin Gwari and charged the troops to sustain the fight against insecurity in the state.
Birnin Gwari, along with four other local government areas (LGAs) — Kajuru, Chikun, Giwa, and Zangon Kataf — has been identified as a hotspot for insecurity in the state.
Between May 29, 2015, and May 29, 2023, Birnin Gwari recorded no fewer than 818 fatalities, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED).
The ACLED further revealed that a total of 1,660 incidents of insecurity, resulting in the deaths of 4,876 were recorded in the state, within the period in view.
The Minister further acknowledged the significant security improvements in Birnin Gwari and charged the troops to sustain the fight against insecurity in the region.
Speaking on the Troop’s Commitment, the representatives of the troops pledged their unwavering commitment to fighting insurgency and banditry.
The Chief of Staff, Section 1, Brigadier-General SS Shehu, assured the Minister of the division’s commitment to stemming prevailing threats by terrorists.
Also, the Commanding Officer of Sub-Sector 3 Joint Task Force Operation Fansan Yamma Birnin Gwari, Lt. Col. A Abdullahi, promised to sustain professionalism and maintain a secure security situation.
Meanwhile, despite the operations of security agencies in the state, there has been an approximate 67 per cent average increase in kidnappings in Kaduna.
Data by Beacon Consulting website, a security think tank, analysed by NewsNGR revealed that between April and September 2024, at least 462 people were abducted from across the state.
A monthly breakdown showed the number of abductions in the state including April – 18; May – 57; June – 64; July – 73; August – 96; September – 154.
A more detailed analysis revealed that kidnappings surged by 216.67 per cent in May compared to the previous month.
In June, the number of kidnappings increased by an additional 12.28 per cent, and by July, the rise was 14.06 per cent.
In August, the state recorded a 31.5 per cent increase, reaching a peak of 60.41 per cent in September for kidnap cases.
In total, the state recorded 57 fatalities. A monthly breakdown of the deaths reveals how people were killed in the state: April – 9; May – 5; June – 0; July – 5; August – 9; and September – 29.