‘How Kaduna Govt. retrieved 500,000 hectares of land from bandits’

By Zubairu Idris

Kaduna Commissioner of Information, Mr Ahmed Maiyaki said the state government has retrieved 500,000 hectares of land from bandits in the last three years.

Speaking during an interview with BBC Hausa Service, Maiyaki said the feat followed successful implementation of the Kaduna Peace Model, which was accepted by all security agencies operating in the state.

He added that many farmers have returned to their farms which were hitherto abandoned as a result of insecurity this year.

Maiyaki said the lands were reclaimed along Birnin Gwari, Chikun, Kachia and other local governments experiencing security challenge in the past.

He added that “there is improved security in those areas now, our farmers can now go to their farms and work, unlike before.

“Thousands of farmers have planted crops in the farms they abandoned for nine years.”

The commissioner explained that “even though the government cannot claim to have recorded 100 per cent success, but there is improvement.

“We cannot say that we have recorded 100 per cent success; farming that was never done in recent years has resumed.”

He, however, noted that there are still pockets of cases around the state “because Kaduna is sharing border with some states that are still facing challenges, especially from Niger, Zamfara and Katsina states.

“We still have pockets of problems, but government is working with these states to address the issues.”

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has commended Gov. Uba Sani over the recovery of more than 500,000 hectares of farmland from bandits.

HURIWA described the development as a major security, humanitarian and economic milestone capable of restoring the livelihoods of thousands displaced by insecurity.

The association made the commendation in a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Coordinator, Mr Emmanuel  Onwubiko.

It said the recovery demonstrated the importance of restoring access to communities and farmlands affected by banditry.

HURIWA said the development should be viewed beyond a security statistic, describing it as an opportunity to restore citizens’ rights, dignity and economic independence.

It commended the state government and security agencies for improving security conditions that enabled farmers to return to their farmlands.

According to the association, recovering agricultural land is critical to food security and economic recovery, as farming provides employment and income for thousands of rural households.

“When armed groups occupy rural communities and prevent legitimate residents from accessing their homes, farms and ancestral lands, the consequences go beyond physical displacement,” it said.

The association said such occupation destroyed livelihoods, disrupted food production, weakened local economies, deprived children of education and separated families.

While commending Sani, HURIWA urged him to sustain the momentum by ensuring that recovered communities and farmlands were fully restored to legitimate owners.

It called for a comprehensive “recover, restore and rebuild” programme to identify displaced owners, verify ownership claims and facilitate the safe return of affected residents.

HURIWA also urged the government to provide returning communities with adequate security, roads, schools, healthcare, water, electricity and other basic amenities.

It warned that reclaiming territory without rebuilding affected communities’ social and economic infrastructure could expose residents to renewed displacement.

The association called for special support for farmers who lost productive years to insecurity, including agricultural inputs, credit, equipment and extension services.

It also urged the government to strengthen community based early warning mechanisms and involve traditional, religious and community leaders in peacebuilding efforts.

HURIWA said lasting peace required sustained dialogue, justice, reconciliation, community trust, economic recovery and credible mechanisms for resolving disputes.

It urged security agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute perpetrators in accordance with the law.

The association also appealed to the Federal Government to provide states with adequate intelligence, equipment and personnel to prevent bandits and terrorists from regrouping.

HURIWA described the reported farmland recovery as “an important beginning,” saying success would ultimately be measured by residents’ ability to return home without fear.

It said displaced residents should be able to farm, send their children to school and conduct businesses safely and with dignity.

The association urged Sani to sustain the security gains until recovered communities were genuinely secure and affected residents could rebuild their lives.(NAN)