Food Crisis: Military Deploys Troops to Farms in North-West, North-Central Regions

The Defence Headquarters has announced the deployment of troops to farms across the northern regions of Nigeria, specifically in the North-West and North-Central zones. This move is aimed at providing protection to farmers who have been frequent targets of bandits, terrorists, and other criminal elements.

According to the military high command, this deployment is critical to safeguarding farmers, who have faced indiscriminate attacks, extortion, and even murder at the hands of these groups. A tally by our correspondent indicates that over 332 farmers were killed across the country in the first quarter of this year, marking a significant rise compared to the same period in 2023, when at least 128 farmers lost their lives.

A report by SBM Intelligence revealed that between 2020 and 2023, farmers in the North paid an estimated N139 million in levies to bandits, who demanded a total of at least N224 million over this period.

This military action comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with its highest-ever food inflation rate, recorded at 40.87 percent by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics in June. The alarming food prices have prompted widespread calls for urgent measures to address the growing hunger crisis.

Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, confirmed that police patrols have begun on farms to boost farmers’ confidence. “In the North-East, we have started farm patrols to give farmers the confidence to return to their farms. Mr. President is very concerned about this issue, and we are doing our best,” Egbetokun said, adding that the security situation in Nigeria is both complex and diverse.

In an interview on Wednesday, Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed that the deployment of troops began with the onset of the rainy season. However, he did not specify the number of troops assigned to the farms. “Troops are currently deployed across several northern states, particularly in the North-West and North-Central regions, to provide protection for farmers. This deployment has enabled many farmers to access their farms for a smooth planting season, with the hope of achieving a bumper harvest,” Buba said.

The Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Kabir Ibrahim, confirmed the increased security presence on farms across the country. However, he called for further efforts to eradicate insecurity to achieve food sufficiency. “There is a noticeable improvement in security around our farms, especially in the North-Central and North-West regions. We appreciate these efforts and commend the government at all levels. However, like Oliver Twist, we urge the government to completely eliminate insecurity to ensure seamless food security,” Ibrahim stated.

Ibrahim expressed optimism that with the improved security situation, farmers should expect a bumper harvest, barring any natural disasters like flooding or drought.

Despite these efforts, our correspondent has learned that some states in the North-West and North-Central regions have yet to see the deployment of military personnel as directed by the Defence Headquarters.

In Benue State, Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Matthew Abo, said there has been no recent deployment of military personnel to protect farmers. “The governor has had positive discussions with the service chiefs, which led to increased security presence. However, in the past two weeks, there has been no new deployment of military personnel to the state,” Abo stated.

Similarly, an official from the Kano State Government, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Kano is not among the states battling banditry due to its lack of thick forests. “Kano State is not experiencing banditry like other states in the zone,” the official said.

However, in Benue State, the Organising Secretary of the Rice Farmers Association, Sam Yua, lamented the ongoing violence by armed herders, which has forced many farmers to abandon their rural communities and move to urban areas. “The insecurity in the state is having a ripple effect on the country. Armed herders are now driving away natives and occupying their communities, grazing their cattle on our crops,” Yua said.

In Kano, the Chairman of AFAN, Alhaji Abdurrashid Magaji, noted that only Sumaila and Garko local government areas are affected by insecurity. He urged state governments to procure and subsidize fertilizers and other inputs to boost irrigation farming.

Meanwhile, Katsina State’s Director of Media to Governor Dikko Umar Radda, Maiwada Danmallam, stated he was unaware of any deployment of soldiers specifically to protect farms and farmers. He acknowledged, however, that soldiers were deployed to Kankara Local Government Area to curb terrorist activities in the region. “Soldiers have been deployed to Kankara, which has recently become a gateway for bandits launching attacks in several local government areas,” Danmallam said.