Terror in March: 165 farmers slain, farms abandoned as bandits demand N3bn
- Around 130 farmers were killed in four local government areas of Benue State, 28 in Sokoto State, and sorghum production decreased by 90% in Borno State.
- Farmers in Benue suffered a loss of N1.1 billion due to attacks, while Sokoto farmers paid ransoms totaling N3 billion, and N5 million was paid in Delta State.
A total of 165 farmers have lost their lives due to bandit attacks, causing disruptions to farming activities nationwide, as reported by The PUNCH.
In separate interviews on Tuesday, farmers from Benue, Sokoto, Niger, Plateau, and other states expressed their distress, noting that they not only lost crops to bandits but also witnessed the deaths of many colleagues at the hands of these criminals. Consequently, they have abandoned their farms due to the escalating attacks.
The highest number of farmer casualties, 130, occurred in Benue State, specifically in four local government areas, according to the Association of Nigerian Farmers in the state.
Additionally, in Sokoto State, 28 farmers were killed since the start of the year, with members of the farming association revealing that they had paid substantial ransoms to bandits who kidnapped them from their farms.
The surge in banditry has led to over 295 individuals being held hostage in Sokoto, Kaduna, and Borno states, exacerbating the challenges faced by farmers.
Aondongu Saaku, the Benue State AFAN Chairman, highlighted the grim situation, stating that six farmers were kidnapped in the last two weeks alone, leading to significant financial losses for farmers in the state.
He estimated the losses to be around N1.1 billion, emphasizing the difficulty in quantifying the damage caused by burnt crops and destroyed farms, including rice, yams, cassava, corn, and other produce.
Saaku emphasized the perilous situation of going to the farm, stating that it’s a matter of life and death. He mentioned the necessity of taking the risk due to the lack of alternative income sources. Saaku highlighted the urgency for the Federal Government to declare a security state of emergency to prevent severe famine in the near future if the escalating insecurity is not addressed.
In Borno State, farmers observed a drastic 90% decrease in sorghum and other crop production.
In Delta State, eight farmers were kidnapped recently, and each paid ransoms ranging from N1 million to N5 million. This wave of kidnappings has paralyzed farming activities in Ika North-East and Aniocha South Local Government Area, with farmers unable to access their farms due to fear of further kidnappings.
Mr. Okwudili Uti from Ute-Okpu community described the situation as hellish, with farmers unable to work due to the constant threat of kidnappings. The Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria in Delta State, Mr. Rechard Asemina, echoed the sentiment, stating that farmers across the state are unable to access their farms, and even those who do find their produce damaged by roaming cattle. They appealed to the government for urgent intervention to address the crisis affecting farmers in Delta State.
Sokoto State has suffered significant financial losses, with the Chairman of AFAN in the state, Jamilu Sanusi, reporting that members have lost over N3 billion due to ransom payments to bandits.
Sanusi highlighted that more than 80% of the population in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Sokoto are farmers who have been displaced by bandit activities.
He estimated that farmers in Sokoto have paid over N3 billion to bandits in the past two years alone. This does not include the losses incurred each farming season due to farmers abandoning their farms and relocating to IDP camps out of fear of attacks. Approximately 10,000 hectares of land have remained uncultivated for over three years, resulting in substantial financial losses for farmers who could have earned up to N1 million or more per farming season.
Furthermore, Sanusi noted that 28 farmers have been killed in Sokoto State this year due to bandit attacks. He called on the state government to support and sustain the efforts of the Sokoto Community Guard Corps to enhance security, especially in remote areas where farmers are vulnerable to bandit attacks.
In Plateau State, farmers are constantly living in fear of being kidnapped by bandits, according to reports.
Sako Danboyi, the state Chairman of AFAN, was unavailable for immediate comment but Stephen Garuba, a farmer in Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA), confirmed the dire situation.
Garuba explained, “Farmers in Bokkos are facing numerous challenges, especially concerning security. We struggle to access our farms. In places like Yelwa Nunu, farmers have not returned due to being chased away by bandits. Even in Bokkos town, we are not safe. Recently, there was an incident where a man was killed, and his wife was attacked by criminals.”
He emphasized the gravity of the situation and called for more efforts from the state government to ensure farmers’ safety and enable them to work on their farms without fear.
Umar Fodio, the Chairman of AFAN in Jos North LGA, expressed optimism that with increased support from the state government, farmers would experience relief during the upcoming rainy season.
Farmers in Niger State are avoiding farming in certain local governments due to persistent attacks and abductions by bandits. These areas include Munya, Shiroro, Meriga, Paikoro, Rafi Mashegu, Wushishi, and Borgu. The bandits have set farm produce on fire and demanded levies from farmers before allowing them to harvest crops. Incidents in 2023 resulted in the deaths of 55 farmers and numerous abductions, including women and children.
In February of this year, six farmers were killed, and over 20 women were abducted by bandits. Security forces rescued 16 farmers abducted in Dan-Gunu Community, Munya LGA. Abdulhamid Najume, the Munya LGA Chairman, confirmed the attack and the successful rescue operation.
Abdullah Imam, a leader of the Rice Farmers Association in Minna, stated that farmers are avoiding these troubled areas due to safety concerns. He emphasized the need for government and military action to address the banditry, as it’s affecting agricultural activities and may impact harvests in the coming year.
Meanwhile, farmers in Ondo State, represented by the Cocoa and Plantain Farmers Association of Nigeria, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to address the escalating bandit attacks on farmers and their produce. The association expressed concern over the loss of lives, kidnappings, and destruction of farmlands, urging urgent intervention to ensure farmers’ safety and enable them to work without fear.
Farmers in Nasarawa State are facing challenges due to increased banditry and kidnapping incidents, which have deterred many from going to their farms. Victims of recent attacks in Keana and Nasarawa Eggon LGAs expressed concerns over the security situation and called on authorities to provide adequate protection to vulnerable communities.
Musa Yamusa from Keana LGA described the situation as dire, with many farmers abandoning their farms out of fear of attacks. He emphasized the need for government assistance to address the insecurity, as farming is their primary source of livelihood.
Similarly, Alaku Ibrahim from Lizzin-Keffi area of Nasarawa Eggon LGA mentioned the losses suffered by farmers due to bandit activities and the constant threat they face while going to their farms.
Peter Ahemba, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdullahi Sule on Public Affairs, assured that the state government is working with security agencies to ensure the safety of residents and enable them to access their farmlands without fear.
In Borno State, although specific figures were not provided, it was noted that a significant number of farmers were killed during the 2023 farming season by terrorists in areas surrounding Maiduguri, such as Jere, Mafa, and Konduga LGAs.