Nigeria: Bandits Once Collected Bride Prices, Imposed Taxes in Kaduna - State Govt

What the report says

Kaduna State officials say armed bandits once held sway over rural communities in the state, going beyond intimidation to impose taxes, direct farming activities and even collect bride prices. The comments were made by the state commissioner for information and culture, Ahmed Maiyaki, at a gala night in Kaduna tied to the annual retreat of the Kano Correspondents’ Chapel, according to Leadership via AllAfrica.

Maiyaki said the government has used both security operations and community-based initiatives to push back insecurity. He said the administration worked with traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups and other local stakeholders, and claimed these efforts helped recover more than 500,000 hectares of farmland over the past three years. He also said early-warning systems and local coordination had helped prevent some communal or religious clashes.

The commissioner said that from 2023 to early 2026, 75 potential threats were identified and 70 were addressed. He presented the developments as evidence that farmers are returning to their land after a period when many could not safely access their fields. The broader significance is that the statement highlights both the scale of rural insecurity in Kaduna and the state government’s emphasis on a mix of enforcement and local engagement to restore farming and stability.