The Defence Headquarters has formally announced the deployment of troops to provide security for farmers in the Northern states, particularly in the North West and North Central regions of Nigeria, with the aim of ensuring a successful farming season and addressing food insecurity and inflation.
Maj Gen Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, made this disclosure in a statement released on Wednesday. This deployment has notably facilitated farmers' access to their farms during this crucial period.
As the rainy season commences, troops have been strategically stationed in various northern regions, particularly in the North West and North Central states, to safeguard farmers and their agricultural activities.
This proactive measure is intended to create a conducive environment for the farming community, thereby promoting a productive planting season and ultimately leading to an abundant harvest.
In a similar vein, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has announced the initiation of farm patrols in the North East to instill confidence among farmers and encourage their return to their agricultural pursuits, underscoring the government's commitment to addressing this issue. However, it is worth noting that the security landscape in Nigeria is intricate and multifaceted, as articulated by Mr. Egbetokun.
Acknowledging the pressing security challenges faced by farmers, Kabir Ibrahim, the Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, has confirmed the heightened security presence in farms across the country. This development is a responsive action to the disruption caused by bandits, terrorists, and criminals in the affected regions over the last six months.
Disturbingly, reports have emerged indicating the tragic loss of hundreds of lives and the abduction of numerous individuals within the farming community in the region during the first quarter of 2024. Furthermore, SBM Intelligence revealed that farmers in the North paid an estimated sum of N139 million as farm levies to bandits who extorted at least N224 million between 2020 and 2023, significantly contributing to the surge in food prices across Nigeria.
The adverse impact of this situation is evidenced by the alarming increase in food inflation, which surged to 40.87 percent, as reflected in the National Bureau of Statistics’ June data. This critical issue underscores the urgent need for comprehensive interventions to address the underlying security and economic challenges that have engendered the current state of affairs.