El-Rufai: Boko Haram, Ansaru Members Have Moved Into Kaduna

Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai has confirmed the emergence of Boko Haram and Ansaru enclaves in Birnin Gwari and Chukun local government areas of the state.

El-Rufai made the disclosure after the presentation of the first quarter security report covering January 1st to March 31st 2022, which took place at the Council Chambers of Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Thursday, May 19.

The presentation was attended by the Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, senior government officials, Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, Chairmen of Local Government Councils, Heads of Security Agencies in the state as well as traditional rulers.

According to the governor, the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the state suggests that terrorists have moved into the state.

“So, this is not only a very dangerous situation we found ourselves in. But the entire Northwest is facing a very serious threat. That’s the reason I have been drumming for theatre command in the zone and also the need to take some punitive actions against the terrorists,” he said.

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The governor disclosed that the debriefing of the first Abuja-Kaduna train kidnap victim to be released indicated that the terrorists were making comments like “the forests in Kaduna are even better than that of Sambisa and so they should all relocate here.”

He also revealed that two recruited Ansaru members from Giwa local government recently posted their pictures on social media and were pleading with their friends to join the group.

El-Rufai said the government was in possession of a video where the group was seen celebrating the Eid-el-Fitr in Birnin Gwari local government area.

“The problem of insecurity now has moved from the North East to the North West. The situation in the North West is far more serious and could be potentially more dangerous than we have ever had in the North East,” he stated.

“And we would like the military and security agencies to take notice of this before it goes out of control,” he warned.
The governor also drew attention to the use of IEDs and mines in the state recently, adding that “we have been lucky and thanks to the police, we have been able to defuse many of the IEDs without loss of lives.”

“It shows a movement from banditry to terrorism with expertise in making explosive devices. And again this is because Boko Haram and Ansaru elements have moved into the state.” he added.

El-Rufai also called on the security council to look into the possibility of clearing the three dangerous towns of Katari, Rijana and Akilibu all of situated have become safe havens for the terrorists.

“Why is it that most attacks or kidnappings occur in these towns. I think something is wrong somewhere.”

He also expressed worries that elections might not hold in four local government areas of the state if the security situations did not improve in those areas.

Earlier, the state commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan had said that 360 people were killed, while 1,389 persons were kidnapped within the period under review across the state.