The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) applauds Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, for the reported recovery of more than 500,000 hectares of farmland previously controlled by bandits, describing the development as a significant security, humanitarian and economic milestone.
HURIWA says the reported recovery should not be viewed merely as a security statistic but as an important opportunity to restore the rights, dignity, livelihoods and economic independence of thousands of citizens who have been unable to access their communities and farmlands because of insecurity.
The association notes that when armed groups occupy rural communities and prevent legitimate residents from accessing their homes, farms and ancestral lands, the consequences go far beyond physical displacement.
Such occupation destroys livelihoods, disrupts food production, weakens local economies, deprives children of education, separates families and creates a cycle of poverty and dependency.
HURIWA therefore commends the Kaduna State Government and the security agencies for the reported improvement in security that has enabled farmers to return to their farmlands.
The association particularly recognises the importance of restoring agricultural communities because access to land is directly connected to food security, employment, household income and the survival of rural communities.
HURIWA, however, urges Governor Sani not to stop at the recovery of the land.
The association demands a comprehensive “recover, restore and rebuild” programme through which legitimately displaced owners and communities can be identified, their properties documented and verified, and their safe and dignified return facilitated.
HURIWA says the process should include transparent documentation of recovered communities and farmlands, proper verification of ownership claims, protection against fresh occupation and mechanisms for resolving disputes that may arise during the return process.
The association also urges the Kaduna State Government to ensure that communities returning after years of displacement receive adequate security protection, roads, schools, healthcare facilities, water, electricity and other basic services.
HURIWA warns that reclaiming territory without rebuilding the social and economic infrastructure of affected communities could leave residents vulnerable to renewed displacement.
The association further calls for special attention to farmers whose productive years have been lost to insecurity.
HURIWA says such farmers may require access to agricultural inputs, credit, equipment, extension services and other forms of support to enable them restart their livelihoods and contribute to the state’s food production.
The association also urges the government to establish stronger community-based early-warning mechanisms so that emerging security threats can be detected and addressed before they escalate into mass displacement.
HURIWA encourages the greater involvement of traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth organisations, women’s groups, community associations, farmers’ groups and representatives of displaced persons in the peacebuilding process.
The association says lasting peace cannot be achieved through military operations alone.
It requires sustained dialogue, justice, reconciliation, community trust, economic recovery and a credible system for resolving disputes before they become violent.
HURIWA also urges the Kaduna State Government to carefully address the humanitarian consequences of years of insecurity, including the plight of widows, orphans, displaced families and communities whose social and economic structures have been severely damaged.
The association says citizens who lost relatives, homes, farms or businesses to terrorist violence deserve more than the mere return of territory. They deserve an opportunity to rebuild their lives with dignity and security.
HURIWA therefore recommends that other states confronting similar challenges should study Kaduna’s reported combination of security operations, community participation, intelligence gathering and early-warning mechanisms.
However, the association stresses that no state should simply copy the Kaduna model without adapting it to its own security, demographic and community realities.
HURIWA also calls for greater accountability for those responsible for terrorising communities, occupying private property, killing civilians, kidnapping residents and destroying livelihoods.
The association says the recovery of territory should be accompanied by sustained efforts to identify, arrest and prosecute perpetrators in accordance with the law.
HURIWA further urges the Federal Government to support states confronting rural insecurity with adequate intelligence, equipment, personnel and other resources required to protect communities and prevent terrorists and bandits from regrouping.
The association welcomes the reported progress in Kaduna but says the real test of the security gains will be whether ordinary citizens can return home, cultivate their farms, send their children to school, conduct their businesses and sleep peacefully without fear of renewed attacks.
HURIWA therefore urges Governor Uba Sani to sustain the momentum until recovered communities are genuinely secure, displaced citizens are able to return safely, legitimate property rights are protected and affected communities begin to experience lasting economic and social recovery.
The association describes the reported recovery of the farmland as an important beginning, but insists that the ultimate victory over terrorism is not merely the recovery of territory; it is the restoration of human dignity, lawful ownership, livelihoods and peaceful community life.
Signed
Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko
National Coordinator
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA)
15th September, 2026
