Kaduna govt dismisses kidnap ranking report as false

The Kaduna State Government has dismissed a report ranking the state among those with the highest incidents of kidnapping in Nigeria, describing it as “false, mischievous and irresponsible.”

In a statement issued on Thursday by the Ministry of Information and signed by the Commissioner-Designate, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, the government faulted a report attributed to SB Morgen, which claimed that 629 persons were abducted in Kaduna between July 2024 and June 2025.

“The attention of the Kaduna State Government has been drawn to recent reports and commentaries regarding the security situation in the state. The publication by SB Morgen alleging that 629 persons were abducted within the period is false and mischievous,” the statement said.

It described the report as a figment of imagination “orchestrated to discredit the Kaduna Peace Model,” which, according to the government, has been adjudged successful by security agencies, stakeholders, and international organisations.

According to the statement, the Kaduna Peace Model initiated by Governor Uba Sani has restored stability across flashpoints in the state and facilitated the recovery of more than 500,000 hectares of arable land previously deserted due to insecurity.

“Today, farmers in these areas have returned to their farms, while livestock markets in Birnin Gwari and Giwa local government areas—shut down for over a decade—have reopened, boosting the economic fortunes of the people,” it added.

The government urged citizens to disregard the ranking, insisting it does not reflect the current security situation in the state. It cautioned against sensational reports, warning that such publications “risk undermining the morale of security personnel working tirelessly to protect our communities.”

Reassuring residents of its commitment to peace and security, the government said its strategy combines military operations with community engagement, socio-economic empowerment, and youth development to tackle both the symptoms and root causes of insecurity.

Quoting the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Suleiman Shuaibu (SAN), the statement revealed that in April alone, 34 security operations led to the arrest of 54 high-profile suspects and the rescue of more than 75 kidnap victims. He added that several criminal hideouts had been dismantled, with prosecutions underway.

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“The Uba Sani-led administration also pointed to its non-kinetic approach, including the establishment of the Kaduna Peace Dialogue Group, which provides a platform for negotiation and reintegration of repentant bandits who have surrendered their weapons,” Dr. Shuaibu said.

“The reopening of the Kara livestock market in Birnin Gwari and the Giwa market, closed for over 10 years, alongside increased agricultural yields, are major milestone achievements of the Kaduna Peace Model,” he added.

Concluding, the government reaffirmed that “the safety and well-being of our citizens remain paramount,” urging the public to disregard the kidnapping ranking and instead foster vigilance, resilience, and sustainable peace in the state.

TRIBUNEONLINE