President Muhammadu Buhari’s home state Katsina has lost 213 people over the span of four months to banditry. In addition, 676 people were kidnapped between July until October 2021.
Secretary to the Katsina State Government, Dr Mustapha Inuwa, addressed this urgent issue while speaking on the development of combatting banditry orders recently signed by Governor Aminu Bello Masari.
“On the whole, the statistics with regards to banditry, kidnapping, and cattle rustling from the commencement of the containment order to date has revealed a drastic reduction in the number of reported cases,” Dr Inuwa spoke to reporters on Thursday.
“For instance, for the period of July/August 2021, there were a total of 173 reported kidnap incidents affecting 475 persons; whereas for September/October 2021, 61 kidnap incidents occurred with 201 victims.”
He added that around 724 suspected bandits and other criminals terrorising communities had been arrested by security agencies within the period under review.
“Banditry cases for the same corresponding periods were 97 incidents for July/August 2021 with 130 deaths and 57 injured and 56 incidents for September/October 2021 with 83 deaths and 58 injured,” the secretary noted.
“480 suspects were arrested between March to September 2021; 42 under investigation and 216 under prosecution. From September to date, on the other hand, 244 suspects were arrested; 33 under investigation and 80 were under prosecution.”
