The Kaduna State Government has scrapped a total of 4,766 traditional districts, as part of measures to reduce the cost of running local authority administration in the state.

The decision followed the recommendation of a committee set up by the state government to review the number of districts and village units in the state.

The Commissioner for Local Governments, Jafaru Sani, announced this at a news conference in Kaduna State, North-West Nigeria.

He explained that the restructuring was aimed at reducing the burden that a bloated payroll imposed on local government councils.

Mr Sani also said the State Council of Chiefs led by the Emir of Zazzau, Shehu Idris, has endorsed the restructuring of districts and village units.

Consequently, the Kaduna State Government said it would only recognise 77 districts and 1,429 villages that existed prior to 2001.

The former administration of Governor Ahmed Makarfi had in 2001 created additional 313 village units thereby increasing it to 5,882, while the districts were increased to 390.