News in brief:
– Armed bandits have occupied a military camp in Niger State, forcing 23 farming communities to flee.
– The displacement of farmers could worsen Nigeria’s food crisis and affect agricultural productivity.
In a troubling development that may worsen Nigeria’s food crisis, about 23 farming communities around Kontagora, Niger State, have been forced to flee due to the occupation of a major military training camp by heavily armed bandits. This takeover poses severe security risks to military personnel and threatens the livelihoods of farming families dependent on the region’s stability.
Key military training site under attack
The Nagwamase Military Cantonment in Kontagora Local Government, a critical military training ground for Nigeria’s artillery corps, has come under attack by armed bandits. This extensive training area, which stretches into Mariga Local Government, is a strategic location for Nigeria’s defence infrastructure. Its disruption has put both military activities and the surrounding farming communities at significant risk.
Abdullahi Isah, a representative of the Kontagora II constituency, reported to the Niger State House of Assembly that the bandit occupation has led to violent attacks in the area. The Assembly’s plenary session revealed that these assaults have forced families from over 23 farming communities to abandon their homes, seeking safety in other areas.
Call for immediate government action
The forced displacement of farming communities could add to Nigeria’s current food supply challenges, with fewer farmers in the fields and heightened security risks in agricultural areas. These challenges, combined with inflation and increased food prices due to recent economic policies, pose additional burdens on Nigerian citizens.
The Niger State House of Assembly has called on the state government to collaborate with military authorities to reclaim the Nagwamase camp. Lawmakers stressed that regaining control of this military site is essential for the stability and safety of local communities, as well as for Nigeria’s agricultural productivity and food security.
