The Kaduna State Government has strongly refuted a recent report that ranks it among Nigeria’s top states for kidnapping incidents, calling the claims false and misleading.
The report, attributed to Lagos-based research firm SB Morgen, claimed that 629 people were abducted in Kaduna between July 2024 and June 2025.
It placed the state among the worst affected by kidnapping and banditry.
However, in a statement released on Thursday, the state’s Ministry of Information, through Commissioner-Designate Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, dismissed the figures as inaccurate and “deliberately mischievous.”
“The report is a fabrication meant to undermine the success of the Kaduna Peace Model, which has been widely endorsed by security agencies and stakeholders,” Maiyaki said.
He emphasized that security had significantly improved under Governor Uba Sani’s administration, with peace restored to several previously troubled areas.
Over 500,000 hectares of abandoned farmland have been reclaimed, and livestock markets in Birnin Gwari and Giwa, shut down for over a decade, have reopened, revitalizing local economies.
Maiyaki urged residents to disregard the SB Morgen report, asserting that it doesn’t reflect the current security situation in the state.
He also cautioned media outlets and researchers against publishing “sensational and unverified” data that could demoralize security forces.
Also speaking on the issue, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Suleiman Shuaibu, shared recent security achievements.
In April alone, 34 operations led to the arrest of 54 suspects and the rescue of over 75 kidnapped victims.
“Several criminal hideouts have been dismantled, and many of the arrested suspects are currently facing prosecution,” Shuaibu said.
He highlighted the administration’s dual security strategy, which includes both military action and non-violent measures such as the Kaduna Peace Dialogue Group.
The group engages with repentant bandits willing to surrender and reintegrate into society.
Shuaibu further cited the reopening of long-shuttered markets and improved agricultural productivity as major indicators of progress.
“Our focus remains on protecting lives, promoting peace, and ensuring sustainable development. We urge the public to remain vigilant and not be misled by inaccurate reports,” he added.
