The Nigerian farming community and other agriculture stakeholders are apprehensive that the renewed attacks on villages in some states of the federation could seriously damage this year’s planting season.
They warned that if the deadly attacks on farmers by bandits and insurgents continued in agrarian communities in Benue, Borno, Niger, Plateau and Zamfara states, the country may face a dire food crisis next year.
In separate interviews with LEADERSHIP Weekend, the stakeholders and farmers added that climate change and the delayed release of inputs to farmers in the country could also complicate the current food insecurity.
According to them, the worsening insecurity in major farming communities had already sparked fears of a significant drop in food production, particularly as the 2025 wet-season farming begins.
Latest data from the HumAngle Security Tracker, seen by LEADERSHIP Weekend, paints a grim picture for 2025 food production.
The data showed that between January and March 2025 alone, 1,420 Nigerians, including farmers, were killed and 537 kidnapped in violent attacks across the country.
The northern region, which is the key food production zone, bore the brunt of the violence, with the North West recording 114 incidents resulting in 400 deaths, followed by the North Central with 100 incidents and 367 deaths. The South West also witnessed 78 incidents and 153 fatalities, the highest among the southern zones.
The figures represent a growing threat to Nigeria’s food production system.
The SBM Intelligence report shows that between 2020 and 2024, over 1,356 farmers in northern Nigeria lost their lives in banditry attacks, forcing many others to abandon their farmlands for safety. During this same period, farmers reportedly paid N1.19 billion in ransom to secure the release of abducted colleagues.
SBM Intelligence is an Africa-focused market/security intelligence gathering and strategic consulting firm. Its researchers and data scientists provide the intelligence that helps governments, businesses, and nongovernmental organisations achieve strategic objectives as they initiate or expand regional operations. Since 2013, it has served clients across various sectors in Africa, France, the UK, and the USA.
Also, Global Human Rights Nigeria reported in 2024 that 24,816 people, including farmers, were killed, and another 15,597 were kidnapped in the past five years.
These incidents have led to massive displacement of farming populations, and there are fears of further shrinking of Nigeria’s productive agricultural workforce.
In the past couple of weeks, suspected gunmen have repeatedly attacked several farming communities in Plateau State, killing about 120 residents, destroying their houses and other property.
These have forced the survivors to flee to internally displaced persons’ camps, with some taking shelter in primary and secondary schools and other public places in the state.
The situation is not different in Benue State, where marauding herdsmen have killed and displaced thousands of residents from their ancestral homes and farmlands. The herdsmen also destroyed their crops and, in some cases, harvested them.
The bandits operating in Zamfara State charge fees and taxes before allowing farmers to access their farms.
From a broader perspective, a report entitled “Protecting the Civic Space: Trends, Challenges, and Future Outlook in Nigeria” revealed that a staggering 91,740 Nigerians were killed due to insecurity between 2011 and 2024.
During planting and harvesting seasons, movements in and out of farms increase. However, many farmers are afraid to access their farmlands because they fear abduction or violence.
According to another report by Veriv Africa, 60 per cent of Nigerian farmers rely solely on personal savings to fund their farming. Most of them often operate on small plots of land with family labour, making them more vulnerable to shocks, whether from conflict or climate events.
Veriv Africa is an outfit that seeks to provide accurate and valuable insights to empower businesses, organisations, and professionals across Nigeria.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) recently issued flood forecasts warning of above-normal rainfall and high flood risks in several parts of the country, particularly in the North Central and South-South regions.
These forecasts affirm the challenges climate change poses to food systems, which may destabilise vulnerable farming communities already grappling with insecurity.
LEADERSHIP Weekend had reported how the federal government’s much-touted “Operation Empty the Store” initiative, meant to distribute subsidised and free agricultural inputs to farmers, has yet to fully materialise.
Despite the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security’s promise that the programme would cover 1,500 farmers per state, many rural farmers say they’ve received nothing.
But Federal Department of Agriculture director, Iwara Bassey, confirmed to LEADERSHIP Weekend that plans for a large-scale input distribution were at an advanced stage, with the” Operation Empty the Store” initiative set to commence soon.
He told LEADERSHIP Weekend: “The moment we finalise the arrangements, a national distribution will begin; this initiative will ensure that no inputs remain in storage while farmers in both dry and wet season farming benefit from timely supplies.”
Addressing concerns over the timing of input distribution, Bassey assured that the programme was designed to accommodate different farming seasons.
“Farmers in the southern states will start planting soon due to early rains, while those in the far north will begin later, around June. The distribution will cater to both groups.
“Farmers can expect a variety of inputs, including herbicides, insecticides, organic fertilisers, and modern agricultural equipment such as sprayers, all provided at subsidised rates”, Bassey said.
However, farmers nationwide are raising red flags, urging the federal and sub-national governments to prioritise timely input delivery, secure farming communities and rehabilitate rural infrastructure to support their operations and avert a looming food crisis.
Speaking at LEADERSHIP Weekend, Daniel Okafor, president of the Potato Farmers Association of Nigeria (POFAN), stressed the urgent need for improved security, road rehabilitation, grants, and early delivery of farming inputs.
Okafor who is also the vice president, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), said farmers need to continue training in modern agricultural techniques, mechanisation, climate change adaptation and value addition to drive President Bola Tinubu’s administration agenda for food security.
He lamented the delayed distribution of farm inputs, stressing that early distribution would boost yields and contribute to national food security.
“Every Nigerian should not go to bed hungry; food is a human right”, he said.
The president of the National Association of Yam Farmers, Processors and Marketers, Prof. Simon Irtwange, called for improved security and government support in transitioning to organic farming to promote health and sustainability.
Speaking with LEADERSHIP Weekend, he said, “We want to move away from chemical-based inputs. Organic farming is key to long-term food security.”
A farmer, Godwin Yakubu, who lives in Orozo community, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), put timely input distribution, improved security and better infrastructure at the forefront of his expectations as the planting season began.
Although Yakubu remained hopeful that government interventions would address their pressing concerns, especially security, he lamented poor government support for farming.
“I have never received any farm inputs from the government since I started farming years ago. We buy all of the seeds and equipment by ourselves. I only see in the news where the government gives input.
“I know that most people who collect inputs in the name of farmers are not even the real farmers. We are here in the village, the government never comes to us, and we don’t have the resources to go to town and drag inputs with political farmers you see everywhere in the town,” Yakubu told LEADERSHIP Weekend.
A maize farmer, Adamu Suleiman, who lives in Karshi in the FCT, said the government must recognise farmers’ rights and deal directly with them to ensure that the support produces the desired results.
He said, “I urge the government to come and give us all their support directly, early enough if they want farmers to produce enough food for the country.”
With more than 30 million people projected to face the food crisis or worse conditions between June and August 2025, according to Cadre Harmonisé, the 2025 planting season could determine whether Nigeria continues to battle soaring food prices and hunger or make meaningful strides toward recovery.
I’ve Ordered Security Agencies To Act Decisively, Swiftly – Tinubu
Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appealed to Nigerians to remain hopeful, united, and resilient as the country navigates through economic and security challenges, assuring them of better days ahead.
In his 2025 Easter message to the country yesterday, the president joined Christians in Nigeria and around the world to commemorate the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, describing the occasion as a time to reflect on the enduring values of “sacrifice, redemption, love, and hope.”
“Just as Christ triumphed over death, so too shall our country triumph over every challenge we face. The present moment may be cloudy, but it will usher in a glorious day,” Tinubu said.
Addressing recent security concerns, the president expressed sadness over the loss of lives in some parts of the country and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring peace and security.
“I understand the pain and fear these incidents have caused. Let me assure you that my administration’s resolve to restore peace and security remains unshakable,” Tinubu stated, adding that he had issued clear directives to the Armed Forces of Nigeria and relevant security agencies to act decisively and swiftly.
He commended the courage of the nation’s security personnel, stating that Nigeria is “turning the tide and making steady progress in reclaiming peace and stability.”
On the economy, the president acknowledged the hardship many citizens are experiencing but highlighted that early signs of recovery were beginning to show.
“We are working tirelessly to restore investors’ confidence, stabilise key sectors, and build an inclusive economy that serves the interests of all Nigerians,” he said, thanking the citizens for their patience and resilience.
In a show of global solidarity, President Tinubu also used the opportunity to greet Pope Francis, who recently recovered from illness.
“We pray that his renewed strength continues to inspire his leadership and service to humanity,” he added.
The president concluded his message with a call for national unity and faith in Nigeria’s future.
“The task before us is enormous, but together, with faith and determination, there is no obstacle we cannot overcome. Our unity and resilience are our greatest strengths,” he said.
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