N636bn agric vote threatened as bandits continue attacks on farmers
President Bola Tinubu’s plan to boost food production and combat inflation may face significant setbacks as bandits and terrorists continue to disrupt farming in northern Nigeria.
Multiple sources said many farmers in the region had fled their communities and abandoned farmlands in the face of escalating violence, extortion, and constant threats from criminal groups.
Reports indicate that the relentless attacks on rural communities, coupled with an atmosphere of fear and insecurity, have forced farmers to abandon their livelihoods.
The disruption has worsened the already precarious food security situation, undermining President Tinubu’s efforts to stabilise food prices and achieve greater self-sufficiency in food production.
In his New Year address, the President promised to implement reforms aimed at boosting domestic food production and supporting the local manufacturing of essential goods, including drugs and medical supplies.
“We are committed to reducing inflation from 34.6 per cent to 15 per cent by intensifying efforts to enhance food production and fostering local manufacturing,” he said.
The 2025 budget proposal underscored Tinubu’s determination to make strides in food security, with a heavy focus on agriculture and livestock development.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has been allocated N636.1bn in the 2025 budget, a substantial increase of 75 per cent over the N362bn allocated to the ministry in 2024.
Key areas of funding within the proposed budget include N127bn for agricultural equipment, another N127bn for the Renewed Hope Fertilizer Support Programme, and N132bn earmarked for the National Agricultural Development Fund.
However, the fund is projected to operate at a N132bn deficit, necessitating external financing.
Despite these budgetary provisions, the worsening security situation in the north – a critical agricultural region — remains a major obstacle to the government’s food security aspirations.
On Monday, Nigerians woke up to the news of a notorious bandit leader, Dantsito, imposing a N172m levy on some communities in the Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The bandit threatened violence if his demands—payable in either cash or foodstuffs—were not met.
To avoid being attacked, residents of the Tsafe West District of the council have been fleeing and abandoning their homes and farms, as they doubt their ability to meet Dantsito’s demand.
Niger State
In Niger State, farmers were warned by the government against returning to their fields, citing the growing threat of Improvised Explosive Devices planted by bandits.
The state Commissioner for Homeland Security, Bello Abdullahi, issued the warning during the 2024 Base Socio-Cultural Activities at the Nigerian Air Force’s 013 Quick Response Force in Minna.
“We are warning our farmers to be careful about going to their farms for now. Bandits have hidden IEDs in the ground to cause disaster. The military must first clear the suspected mine-laden areas before local movement can resume safely,” Abdullahi said.
The insecurity has become so pervasive that farmers across several states have suspended farming activities, triggering fears of looming food scarcity.
Plateau State
Saturday PUNCH learnt that in Plateau State, banditry has devastated agricultural communities with entire farmlands destroyed by criminal groups.
The Public Relations Officer of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria in Plateau, Wukaska Gowon, said over 100 farmers in Kwall alone suffered significant losses when bandits destroyed their Irish potato farms in 2024.
A wheat farm spanning 150 hectares in Bokkos was also destroyed, and in Bassa LGA, the same fate befell other farms.
Farmers in the regions have expressed concern about the long-term impact of banditry on the state’s agricultural economy.
“The consequences are far-reaching, affecting not only the farmers but also food security and the economic stability of the state,” said Tobias Dung, a farmer from Barkin Ladi.
He called on the government to address the issue urgently.
The Plateau State Commissioner for Information, Musa Ashoms, on his part, assured citizens that the government was committed to protecting farmers and securing farmlands.
Kwara State
Similarly, in Kwara State, frequent clashes between farmers and herdsmen have caused widespread abandonment of farms.
A farmer from Alakuko village in the Asa LGA, Sunday Olabiyi, said he lost over N7m worth of crops to herdsmen grazing on his farm.
The farmer lamented that he could not confront the herders, as one of his neighbours was killed for attempting to do so.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State government has responded by setting up a committee to mediate in the conflict between farmers and herders.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Oloruntoyosi Thomas, saidthe frequency of the clashes had significantly reduced due to the intervention of the committee.
Katsina State
In Katsina, banditry has displaced farmers from several council areas, including Batsari, Jibia, and Faskari.
Many farmers, fearing for their lives, have abandoned their crops.
A beans farmer from Batsari, Bala Musa, revealed that his beans were ready for harvest but could not be accessed due to bandit activities.
Another farmer, Yakubu Mani, recalled when he was attacked by bandits, adding that farmers now paid fees to access their land.
Sokoto State
Sokoto State is equally experiencing banditry attacks, particularly in the eastern senatorial zone, where farmers can no longer reach their farmlands due to escalating insecurity.
A farmer from the Gandi community in Rabbah LGA, Aminu Rabah, said farming had been severely impacted by the ongoing violence, with kidnappings and attacks becoming a regular occurrence.
“These are trying times; we can hardly go three days without hearing news of an attack or kidnapping in our communities. Insecurity has crippled farming activities and directly contributed to the rising cost of foodstuffs,” Abdullahi Goronyo, a farmer from Goronyo LGA, lamented.
Benue farmers
Insecurity in Benue State has been primarily attributed to the persistent attacks by herders and bandits, particularly in the Sankera axis.
The area, consisting of Logo, Ukum, and Katsina Ala LGAs, has long been known for its thriving yam farming.
However, a significant decline in production was noted as herders and bandits began terrorising local farmers.
Sankera, once producing approximately 100 truckloads of yams daily, now faces a bleak future.
Nyiekaa Amua, the state chairman of the Yam Farmers Association of Nigeria, confirmed that many farmers have abandoned their fields for fear of attacks.
“Many could not farm last year due to insecurity in Sankera, particularly in Ukum LGA, where we had the highest population of yam farmers. Though, with state government intervention, there is hope that many people will return to farming this year,” Amua stated.
The state chairman of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Sam Yuwa, echoed similar concerns, revealing that insecurity from herders’ attacks had prevented many rice farmers from planting last year.
He expressed optimism that security improvements would encourage farmers to return to the fields in the coming planting season.
80% uncultivated Zamfara land
In Zamfara State, there is widespread disruption in farming activities due to escalating incidents of kidnapping, killings, and extortion.
Saturday PUNCH learnt that over 80 per cent of farmlands have remained uncultivated for years as bandits intensify operations across all the 14 LGAs in the state.
Bandits have also imposed extortion levies on farmers, and only those who comply with the demands are allowed to farm.
A farmer, Aminu Jangeme, who was forced to relocate to Gusau after repeated kidnappings, shared his harrowing experience.
“I had no choice but to relocate to Gusau because the bandits were always looking for people to kidnap and demand ransom. I was kidnapped twice, but I escaped both times. On my third kidnapping, I had to pay N1m to regain my freedom. Immediately after that, I left the village and moved to Gusau town,” he recounted.
Another farmer, Ibrahim Kazauda, confirmed that many people in his community had abandoned farming due to constant attacks.
He said, “Many of us are no longer farming as the bandits continue to kidnap and kill those who dare to go to their farms.”
In Shinkafi LGA, a 60-year-old rice farmer, Damaila Idris, described how bandits destroyed his rice crop just days before harvest, leaving him with no produce for the season.
Renewed Borno violence
Farmers in Borno State are growing increasingly fearful of returning to their farmlands due to renewed insurgent attacks.
Despite state government efforts to encourage displaced farmers to return, ongoing attacks have left many apprehensive about the prospects for this year’s harvest.
A retired police officer and farmer, Anda Jiya, said while the government might be doing its best, the persistent attacks had made many farmers hesitant to resume agricultural activities.
“The consistent attacks will definitely lead to poor famine this year,” she said.
Saturday PUNCH also gathered that farmers in Baga, Kukawa LGA, had abandoned farming activities due to the resurgence of Boko Haram fighters.
A female farmer in the area, Yahana Izge, expressed concern that the renewed violence would lead to widespread apathy among farmers, further exacerbating food insecurity.
Farmers seek protection
In a related development, farmers in Borno and Benue states have voiced grave concerns about the impact of insecurity on their ability to cultivate crops this season.
In Baga, Borno State, a female farmer, Yahana Izge, recounted her experience from last year when she successfully planted groundnuts, but now faced growing fear due to recent attacks.
“Last year, I farmed in Baga, where I planted groundnuts. But this year, I am currently living in fear due to all the recent attacks. We have heard of many attacks in the past few weeks. However, if there is any significant improvement, I may change my mind,” she said.
Similarly, another farmer, Habu Ali, expressed frustration over the inadequate government response to food insecurity.
He noted that farmers faced multiple challenges, including the aftermath of last year’s floods and continued attacks.
Ali questioned the effectiveness of incentives in an environment of constant threat.
“We witnessed floods last year, while we have been witnessing attacks from late last year to this moment.
“If there are incentives and those who use them are scared, who will use them? Or will the government provide security to each farmer on their farms? What is happening deep inside the bush is not even known. For me, maybe if there will be a difference before the rainy season, I may reconsider my decision, but as of today, there is a likelihood that I won’t be farming this year,” he stated.
AFAN seeks Tinubu’s intervention
Meanwhile, the All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria has urged President Tinubu to prioritise tackling insecurity to achieve his food production goals.
The National President of AFAN, Kabir Ibrahim, commended the President’s commitment to improving food production but emphasised that addressing insecurity and economic instability was key to success.
Ibrahim highlighted that smallholder farmers, who made up the majority of Nigeria’s agricultural workforce, needed support through incentives, access to credit, and protection from insecurity.
“We appeal to the Federal Government to look at the insecurity issue as a severe threat to the attainment of food security. All hands should be on deck to ensure that insecurity is stemmed,” Ibrahim said.
NSCDC pledges support for farmers
In response to the growing insecurity, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting farmers.
The National Public Relations Officer for NSCDC’s Agro Rangers unit, Babawale Afolabi, said the corps had been actively involved in safeguarding farmers and their land from attacks.
He revealed that the Agro Rangers, a special squad within the NSCDC, faced operational challenges due to limited manpower and logistical resources.
Afolabi stressed the need for better equipment such as drones and motorcycles, to enhance their operations.
“We have our squad in all 774 local governments, but there are challenges. In a country with over 200 million people and less than two million security personnel, that is a serious challenge. It will help our work if we have drones and CCTV, enough motorcycles, and other logistics,” he explained.
