Kaduna Reclaims Bandit Enclaves as Markets, Farming Rebound – Commissioner

The Kaduna State Government has said improved security across the state is enabling communities previously disrupted by banditry to reclaim their livelihoods, with farmers returning to their fields and local markets gradually coming back to life.

The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki, disclosed this at a gala night organised by his ministry to honour members of the Kano Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.

Maiyaki said the administration of Governor Uba Sani had, over the past three years, facilitated the recovery of hundreds of villages and towns that had become inaccessible due to bandit activities.

He said the restoration of security had also opened up more than 500,000 hectares of farmland previously abandoned or inaccessible because of insecurity.

According to him, the return of farmers to the affected areas is contributing to increased agricultural activities and strengthening the state’s food production capacity.

The commissioner noted that the impact of insecurity went beyond loss of lives and property, as prolonged attacks had disrupted economic activities, forced residents from their communities and deprived rural households of their sources of livelihood.

He said the gradual restoration of peace was therefore allowing affected communities to rebuild their economic base, with local markets and other commercial activities beginning to recover.

“Without security, you cannot achieve anything. Before now, farmers in such areas were unable to go to their farms because of the activities of bandits,” Maiyaki said.

He further disclosed that the security situation along the Kaduna-Abuja highway had significantly improved, saying the development had restored confidence among travellers and facilitated movement and commercial activities along the major corridor.

Maiyaki said the improvement was an indication that sustained security efforts could have wider socioeconomic benefits for communities and the state.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Kano Correspondents’ Chapel, Murtala Adewale, thanked the Kaduna State Government for hosting the journalists.

Adewale said the engagement provided an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the government and the media, particularly in promoting greater understanding of government policies and development initiatives.