The Kaduna State Government has dismissed as false and mischievous a report ranking the state among those with the highest incidents of kidnapping in the country.
The government insisted that the security situation has improved significantly under Governor Uba Sani’s administration.
A report attributed to SB Morgen, a Lagos-based geopolitical research and consulting firm, had alleged that no fewer than 629 persons were abducted in Kaduna between July 2024 and June 2025, placing the state among the worst-hit by banditry and kidnapping in Nigeria.
However, the state government, in a statement issued on Thursday by the Ministry of Information and signed by the Commissioner-Designate, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, faulted the report and described it as “false, mischievous and irresponsible.”
“The publication by SB Morgen alleges that 629 persons were abducted within the period is false and mischievous,” the statement read in part.
Maiyaki said the report was a figment of the imagination of its authors, allegedly orchestrated to discredit the Kaduna Peace Model, which he said had been endorsed by security agencies and critical stakeholders as a success story.
“It is on record that the Kaduna Peace Model envisioned by Governor Uba Sani had led to the successful return of peace and security to all security flashpoints in the state and the recovery of over 500,000 hectares of arable land across communities previously deserted.
“Today, farmers in these areas have returned to their farms, while the livestock markets in Birnin Gwari and Giwa local government areas, which were shut down for over a decade, have reopened, thereby boosting the economic fortunes of the people,” the statement said.
The government urged citizens to disregard the SB Morgen ranking, insisting that it did not reflect the reality on the ground in Kaduna.
While reaffirming its commitment to securing lives and property, the government noted that its security strategy combines kinetic operations with non-kinetic approaches, community engagement, socio-economic empowerment and youth development to address both the symptoms and root causes of insecurity.
The statement also quoted the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Suleiman Shuaibu, who gave an update on the security situation in the state.
According to him, in April alone, security agencies conducted 34 operations that led to the arrest of 54 high-profile suspects and the rescue of more than 75 kidnap victims.
Shuaibu added that several criminal hideouts had been dismantled and prosecutions of suspects were ongoing to ensure justice for victims of insecurity.
“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,” he said.
According to him, the reopening of the Kara livestock market in Birnin Gwari and the Giwa market, which were closed for over 10 years due to insecurity, as well as increased agricultural yields, were major milestone achievements of the Kaduna Peace Model.
He added, “The safety and well-being of our citizens remain paramount. We therefore call on the public to disregard the purported kidnapping ranking, and instead focus on fostering vigilance, resilience, security and sustainable peace in our dear state.”
