Troops Deployed to Protect Farmers Amid Rising Food Inflation

The Defence Headquarters has announced the deployment of troops across farms in northern Nigeria, particularly in the North West and North Central regions.

This move aims to protect farmers from bandits, terrorists, and other criminal elements amid Nigeria’s alarming food inflation rate of 40.87%, as reported by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics in June.

Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, disclosed that police patrols have begun on farms to bolster farmers’ confidence. “In the North East, we have started farm patrol to give confidence back to farmers to return to the farm. Mr. President is very, very concerned about it, and we are doing our best,” Egbetokun stated.

However, Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Edward Buba, clarified that troop deployments commenced with the onset of the rainy season but did not specify the number of troops involved. He explained, “The deployment has enabled several farmers to access their farms for a hitch-free planting season towards a bumper harvest.”

Farmers’ association leaders have welcomed the military’s efforts but urged the government to eradicate insecurity completely. “There is definitely some remarkable security improvement around our farms… Like Oliver Twist, we implore the government to completely stem insecurity to attain food security seamlessly,” said Kabir Ibrahim, Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria.

Despite these efforts, reports indicate that some states in the North West and North Central have not yet seen troop deployments. Benue State Commissioner for Information, Matthew Abo, confirmed there had been no military personnel deployed to protect farmers in the state in the past two weeks. An unnamed Kano State official also stated that Kano was not among the states battling banditry due to its lack of thick forests.