The Kaduna State Government says it has recovered more than 500,000 hectares of land previously controlled by bandits, allowing farmers to return to their farms.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki, disclosed this on Sunday at a gala night organised by his ministry for members of the Kano Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
The journalists were in Kaduna for the chapel’s 2026 retreat, themed “2027 General Elections: Navigating Legal, Security and Ethical Challenges in the Media.”
Maiyaki said the land recovery was achieved within three years of Governor Uba Sani’s administration.
According to the commissioner, improved security has made it possible for farmers who previously stayed away from their farms because of attacks to resume agricultural activities.
He said insecurity had previously prevented farmers in affected communities from accessing their farmlands.
“I am happy to tell you that the present administration under the able leadership of Governor Uba Sani has, within the past three years, recovered over 500,000 hectares of land from bandits,” Maiyaki said.
He added that security was critical to economic development and agricultural production.
The commissioner also said insecurity had previously affected travel between Kaduna and Abuja, with some travellers avoiding the route because of attacks.
Maiyaki said the security situation had since improved significantly.
“I am happy to say that that has now become a thing of the past because the security situation in Kaduna State has greatly improved,” he said.
He said the state government would continue to prioritise security, stressing that meaningful development could not take place without a secure environment.
Maiyaki also highlighted the government’s efforts to increase food production across the state.
He said the government distributed 500 trucks of fertiliser to more than 150,000 farmers during the 2026 farming season.
According to the commissioner, the state distributed 400 trucks of fertiliser in 2024, followed by another 500 trucks in 2025 and 500 trucks during the 2026 farming season.
The government says the interventions are designed to support farmers and strengthen food production.
On education, Maiyaki said Kaduna had recorded a significant reduction in the number of out-of-school children.
He said the figure had fallen from 550,000 to 187,000.
The commissioner presented the reduction as part of the state government’s efforts to improve access to education and address challenges affecting children’s schooling.
Maiyaki also discussed the state’s transportation initiative, saying the government purchased 100 CNG buses in July 2025.
He said the buses provide cheaper transportation for students and civil servants as the government seeks to reduce the impact of rising transport costs.
According to Maiyaki, the buses have transported at least 3.5 million people since July 2025.
He claimed the initiative had also saved commuters about N3.8 million.
“From July 2025, no fewer than 3.5 million people have been transported with the vehicles, and nothing less than N3.8m has been saved for people,” he said.
Maiyaki further said the Nigeria Labour Congress had confirmed that workers saved 40 per cent of their income through the CNG bus initiative.
“Even the Nigeria Labour Congress has confirmed that workers have saved 40 per cent of their income since the introduction of the CNG buses,” he said.
The chairman of the Kano Correspondents Chapel, Murtala Adewale, appreciated the Kaduna State Government for hosting the gala night.
He also thanked the government for receiving members of the chapel during their 2026 retreat.
The retreat brought journalists together to discuss the legal, security and ethical challenges likely to shape media coverage ahead of the 2027 general elections.
