The Nigerian military has deployed troops across key farming regions in the northern parts of the country. The deployment, primarily focused on the North West and North Central regions, aims to protect farmers from ongoing threats posed by bandits, terrorists, and other criminal elements.
The Defence Headquarters announced that this move is intended to boost food production by ensuring that farmers can work without fear during the crucial planting season.
Maj Gen Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, confirmed the deployment, noting that troops were sent out at the start of the rainy season to guarantee farmers’ safety and facilitate a successful harvest.
He added, “With the commencement of the rainy season, troops are currently deployed in several northern states to provide protection for farmers.”
In recent years, farmers have become frequent targets of violence, with kidnappings, killings, and ransom demands threatening the agricultural sector.
Over 330 farmers were reported killed in the first quarter of 2024 alone, a sharp increase from previous years. Bandits have also extorted large sums of money from farmers, with a recent report estimating that over N139 million was paid as levies to criminal groups.
Farmers across Nigeria are hopeful that the increased security presence will lead to a significant improvement in food production.
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria expressed optimism, acknowledging that security improvements would allow for a better harvest, although they urged the government to continue its efforts to completely eliminate the insecurity.
Despite the military’s actions, some states have yet to see the arrival of troops. Officials in Benue, Kano, and Katsina states noted that while their regions face security challenges, they have not witnessed the deployment of soldiers specifically to protect farms. In Benue, for instance, farmers continue to suffer from violence perpetrated by armed herders, forcing many to flee their lands.
This initiative comes at a critical time for Nigeria, where food inflation hit a record high of 40.87% in June 2024, putting immense pressure on the population. The government and security agencies are taking steps to address the crisis, with the police also starting farm patrols in some areas to restore farmers’ confidence.
