How we recovered 500,000 hectares of farmlands controlled by bandits – Kaduna govt

Kaduna State Government has reclaimed over 500,000 hectares of farmland in the past three years, thanks to enhanced security measures that have enabled farmers to resume their agricultural activities. The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki, revealed this at a Gala Night organized by the Kano Correspondents’ Chapel.

He attributed the success to the government's focused approach in tackling insecurity, which has translated into positive outcomes across various sectors. Bandits had previously coerced farmers into paying taxes, controlling their farming practices, and even collecting dowries, disrupting rural life. However, with the introduction of community-led security and early warning systems, peace has now returned, allowing farmers to once again tend to their lands.

The administration has merged aggressive measures with non-aggressive strategies by engaging traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, and other stakeholders to combat insecurity. Over the past three years, 75 potential threats were identified, and 70 were effectively neutralized, thus averting potential clashes between communities or religious groups.

The improvement in security has also facilitated increased investments in agriculture. The budget for farming-related activities has surged from ₦1.4 billion in 2023 to more than ₦100 billion in 2026. This surge in investment has resulted in the free distribution of fertilizers to farmers, which has significantly boosted maize yields from three bags per hectare to up to 22 bags.

Maiyaki emphasized that the government's emphasis on results rather than procedures is helping to alleviate food insecurity and restore the dignity of rural communities. To boost infrastructure, the government has undertaken development projects in 12 local government areas, including the construction and rehabilitation of roads.

These enhancements have not only reduced travel time but also decreased post-harvest losses and bolstered emergency response capabilities. In education, the number of out-of-school children has plummeted from 550,000 to 187,000, while tuition fees have been slashed by 50 percent, and scholarships worth ₦1.3 billion have been introduced.

In the health sector, maternal mortality rates have dropped by nearly 20 percent, 205 primary healthcare centers have been upgraded, and 1,800 health workers have been recruited annually. Maiyaki highlighted the introduction of free CNG buses, which transported 3.6 million people within a year, saving residents approximately ₦3.8 billion in transportation costs.

Furthermore, these buses have also contributed to the punctuality of civil servants, enabling them to reach their workplaces on time while preserving a substantial part of their income. Maiyaki reiterated that the government's interventions are being evaluated based on their impact on the lives of residents. He stated that security is the cornerstone; without it, progress in sectors such as health, education, and agriculture is unattainable. He concluded by asserting that Kaduna is now setting a model for others to emulate.