- Farmers have suffered severe attacks from bandits and terrorists, who have indiscriminately destroyed their harvests, harmed them
- Federal Government deployed troops across the northern states to secure the farmers from terrorists, and other forms of criminal activity
- Some Northern states are, however, yet to get military deployment as directed by the Defence Headquarters
The Defence Headquarters has announced the deployment of troops to farms throughout the northern regions of the country, with a particular focus on the North West and North Central areas.
The military high command has indicated that the purpose of the deployment is to secure farmers from bandits, terrorists, and other forms of criminal activity.
Government deployed troops across the northern states
This was disclosed by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Edward Buba, on Wednesday, August 14.
He said, “With the commencement of the rainy season, troops are currently deployed in several of the northern, particularly in the NW and NC states to provide protection for farmers. The deployment has enabled several farmers’ access to their farm for a hitch-free planting season towards a bumper harvest.”
Similarly, the Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun revealed on August 12, that farm patrols had been launched by the police to strengthen farmers' confidence.
He said, “In the North East, we have started farm patrol to give confidence back to farmers to return to the farm. Mr. President is very, very concerned about it, and we are doing our best.
“But let me also add that the security landscape in Nigeria is complex and diverse.”
Farmers suffered attacks from armed herders
Farmers have suffered severe attacks from bandits and terrorists, who have indiscriminately harmed them, destroyed their harvests, and, in some instances, taken their lives or kidnapped them.
Sam Yua, the Organising Secretary for the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria in Benue State, stated that due to ongoing violence from armed herders, numerous farmers have been forced to relocate from rural areas to urban areas.
He said, “Now what they do is to drive away natives and occupy their (natives) communities.
“For instance, where I hired 45 hectares of land and cultivated rice, the villagers have fled and herders occupying the community feed their cattle with our crops.”
Ibrahim confirmed security improvement in North Central, North West
Kabir Ibrahim, Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, confirmed that there has been an increased security presence on farms nationwide. However, he urged the government to address insecurity to achieve food security.
Ibrahim said, “There is definitely some remarkable security improvement around our farms across the food baskets in the North Central and North West. We therefore appreciate the effort and unreservedly commend the administrations at all levels for that.
“Like Oliver Twist, we implore the government to completely stem insecurity in order to attain food security seamlessly.
“We should certainly (have a bumper harvest). The improved security situation envisages an improved harvest generally barring flooding and drought.”
Some Northern states are yet to get military deployment
However, some states in the North West and North Central have not seen troop deployments as directed by the Defence Headquarters. Benue State’s Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Matthew Abo, indicated that the state has not had military personnel deployed for the protection of farmers.
The commissioner noted that Governor Hyacinth Alia had previously engaged in positive discussions with the service chiefs during the peak of insecurity in the state, leading to the need for additional security operatives.
Despite this, he noted that there had been no deployment of military personnel to the state in the previous two weeks.
Abo said, “Well, the governor went to Abuja and we have not discussed if there is any deployment of military to the state to protect farmers. There is no deployment of military to the state in the past two weeks.”
Maiwada Danmallam, the Katsina State Director of Media for Governor Dikko Umar Radda, stated that he is not aware of any deployment of soldiers to safeguard farms and farmers in the state.
Despite this, he acknowledged that the troops were deployed to Kankara Local Government Area, focusing on reducing terrorist activities in that region.
“I’m not aware soldiers were deployed to protect farms and farmers in Katsina State or any state in North Central or North West. However, I’m aware soldiers were deployed in Mabai, Kankara LGA, a corridor which of recent has been a gateway for bandits to launch attacks in Kankara, Funtua, Faskari, Dandume, Malumfashi and Kafur LGAs. This is a move to preempt or forestall such attacks on vulnerable communities in the mentioned LGAs.”
“Ridiculous, irresponsible”: Akpabio’s banditry blame on national anthem backfires, Nigerians react
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Godswill Akpabio, president of the Nigerian Senate, drew the ire of Nigerians with the comments he made concerning the spate of banditry and insecurity in Nigeria.
He remarked that if we had continued with “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” banditry and insecurity would probably not have existed in the country.