The Inspector of Police, IGP, Mohammed Adamu, has assured that the federal government was doing everything possible to bring the security challenges in some parts of the north to an end.
He said that a total of 685 people have been kidnapped in some parts of the country this year.
Speaking at the northern traditional rulers meeting in Kaduna, the IGP pledged that the insecurity ravaging the region would surely be nipped in the bud.
The IGP, in a paper he presented entitled ‘Managing Internal Security Challenges In Nigeria: The Community Policing Model’, explained, “Crime statistics indicate that between January to April 2019, a total of 685 persons have been kidnapped across the country.”
According to him, “Of this figure, 546 which represents 79.8 percent of the national total were recorded in the three Northern geo-political zones with the North West where 365 persons were reportedly kidnapped within the period.
“The figure followed by the North Central geo-political zone where 154 persons were kidnapped. lt’s pertinent that Zamfara state has the highest national kidnapped rate of 283 victims in what has been directly linked to the activities of armed bandits in the state.
“In relation to banditry, a total of 175 incidents were reported between January to April 2019 with Zamfara state recording the highest incident s of 104 followed by Katsina state with 21 and Sokoto with 19 reported cases.”
IGP Adamu explined that the statistics he highlighted underscored the fact that kidnapping, armed robbery and armed banditry and their consequential effects of murder represent major threat to the internal security order of the country.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, on his part challenged the traditional rulers to ensure that they interact with their subjects on the security of lives and properties and also interface with the government.
He said, “As traditional rulers and royal fathers, you occupy the frontline in reaching the ordinary citizens because you interact with their daily lives constantly.
“You are, therefore, in the best position to feel the pulse of Nigerians and also bring feedback to government on critical issues.”
The Defence Minister, Mansur Dan Ali said, “As you are aware, the country is faced with a myriad security challenges, these security challenges pose some threats to socio-economic, political stability as well as national security of the country.”
He noted that the activities of militant groups have so much militarised the Nigerian society, saying, “The renegades and rebels from Mali as well as recruited Tuaregs from Niger Republic and Libya have swollen the ranks of militant groups, especially in the North East and North West.”
Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, assured that the federal government would ensure that security challenges will be put to an end.
