Kaduna govt slams ‘kidnap capital’ report

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

The report, attributed to Lagos-based research firm SB Morgen, claimed that 629 people were abducted in Kaduna between July 2024 and June 2025.

But in a statement on Thursday, the Commissioner-Designate for Information, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, said the figures were a “figment of the authors’ imagination” and an attempt to discredit the Kaduna Peace Model introduced by Governor Uba Sani.

According to him, the Peace Model has brought significant improvement to security in the state, with over 500,000 hectares of abandoned farmland now recovered and farmers returning to their communities. He added that livestock markets in Birnin Gwari and Giwa, shut for more than 10 years, have reopened.

Maiyaki urged citizens to disregard the SB Morgen ranking, warning that such reports could demoralize security agencies working hard to keep the state safe.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Suleiman Shuaibu, also gave updates, noting that security forces carried out 34 operations in April alone, arresting 54 high-profile suspects and rescuing 75 kidnap victims. He added that several hideouts had been destroyed and prosecutions were ongoing.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to securing lives and property, stressing that its approach combines military action with dialogue, youth empowerment, and community engagement.

“The safety and well-being of our people remain our top priority. The public should disregard the so-called ranking and continue to support efforts to sustain peace across Kaduna State,” the statement said.