500,000 hectares of farmland recovered from bandits in Kaduna — Commissioner

Over the past three years, Kaduna State has reclaimed more than 500,000 hectares of farmland from banditry, according to Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki. The commissioner revealed this during a gala night organized by the Kano Correspondents’ Chapel in Kaduna. Maiyaki credited improved security measures for enabling farmers to return to their fields and resume agricultural activities.

Previously, bandits controlled rural communities, imposing taxes and dictating farming practices. To tackle the issue, the government employed both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies, including empowering traditional rulers, religious leaders, and youth groups. In the past three years, 75 potential threats were detected, and 70 were successfully neutralized, preventing potential conflicts.

This improvement in security has enabled the government to allocate more funding to agriculture, leading to increased investment, free distribution of fertiliser, and improved yields. Maize production has risen from three bags per hectare to as many as 22 bags. Additionally, infrastructure projects in 12 local government areas have reduced travel time and improved emergency response, benefiting farmers and the overall economy.

Other sectors, such as education and health, have also seen progress. The number of out-of-school children decreased from 550,000 to 187,000, while maternal deaths declined by nearly 20%, and free CNG buses have provided transportation for 3.6 million residents.