News in Brief:
– Bandit attacks on farms in Nigeria have led to significant disruptions in food production, economic activities, and loss of lives.
– Experts urge for a multi-faceted approach involving enhanced security, strengthened law enforcement, socio-economic measures, and community engagement to address this pressing issue.
A growing wave of bandit attacks targeting farms across Nigeria has sparked widespread concern among agricultural experts and security analysts. These attacks, characterised by violence, theft, and intimidation, have significantly disrupted food production and economic activities in affected regions.
A pattern of destruction
For instance, earlier in November 2024, bandits reportedly set fire to maize farms in surprise attacks that devastated communities in Kwaga village and Unguwar Zako in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Nigeria’s northern state of Kaduna.
Although no lives were reported lost, the attack left six farms destroyed, with some farmers reporting a 100% loss of all their harvests.
Also in the same month, bandits in Kebbi state attacked the Mera community in the Augie local government area. This attack led to the loss of 15 lives in that community as well as the loss of over 100 cows to the marauding attackers.
Again, this time in the eastern state of Enugu, armed herdsmen reportedly attacked and killed three farmers in Eha Amufu, in Isi Uzo Local government area of the state.
The farmers were killed in their farms at the point of harvesting yam and rice crops. Essentially, the attack continues a trail of violent bloodshed that has been taking place there since 2017. This has led to the destruction of about 20 farms and the loss of over a hundred lives.
The impact on food security and economy
This worrying situation has further exacerbated the country’s food crisis, with a consequent shortfall in agricultural production.
Additionally, the surge in banditry has forced many farmers to abandon their fields, fearing for their lives and property. This has resulted in rising food prices.
Additionally, the attacks have damaged critical infrastructure, such as irrigation systems and storage facilities, further exacerbating the crisis.
Government response
Meanwhile, the government’s responses to these situations have not been entirely satisfactory, as perpetrators are hardly, if ever, caught and brought to book.
Many have bemoaned that actions by the government in this regard only amount to commiserating with affected families and communities while making pledges to forestall future attacks.
Therefore, to address this pressing issue, experts have called for a multi-faceted approach involving both security and socio-economic measures.
Marvin Elechi, the Commander of a private security firm based in Lagos, said that his work has seen him traverse different parts of the country, sometimes alongside other major security outfits like the police in joint operations against criminality.
According to him, the situation is very problematic as it could spiral out of control if not effectively dealt with by the ‘sincere actions’ of the government.
“Some of these boys (bandits) are armed with sophisticated weapons, high calibre firearms, that are capable of repelling even trained professional operatives in a mission”, Elechi stated.
“They get these weapons from illicit gun traders from across the country’s borders. This has now become a very booming trade. Bandits then proceed to unleash mayhem wherever they operate,” he added. “It may surprise you to know that certain influential persons, some even politicians, are behind the criminal enterprises of these non-state actors as the proceeds from banditry and kidnappings are quite substantial. This is why we advocate for sincere actions by the government if we are serious in stamping out this menace of banditry in our society.”
Romanus Orji, a security consultant, also tows the line of reasoning of Elechi but hampers on effective community engagement to deal with the situation.
“These terrorists are not unknown to many of the communities they operate in”, Orji stated. “They even know their names and some are seen as heroes in some areas. What is needed is effective collaborative efforts between security agencies and local communities in sharing intelligence and coordinated responses.”
Poverty is a major cause of insecurity
Furthermore, Orji added that other socioeconomic measures like investment in rural development initiatives could help create alternative livelihoods and reduce poverty.
“We have to understand that poverty is a root cause of most of the illegal activities in this country, and banditry only gets deadlier with the worsening economic situation in the country,” he said.
A holistic approach, not just dealing with symptoms, is needed to curb this deadly surge in armed attacks against our farmers. Otherwise, Nigeria could easily go the way of countries like Somalia where these situations have become too overwhelming for the government.
Essentially, according to expert opinions, unless urgent action is taken to curb banditry, the long-term consequences for Nigeria’s food security and economy could be devastating.
These actions encompass enhanced security, in terms of increased deployment of security forces to protect rural communities and farms. They also include strengthening laws and regulations to effectively deter and punish perpetrators and collaborators or sponsors of banditry.
