In Benue, Nigeria, a significant escalation in assaults on agricultural communities has been documented, with over 690 fatalities and 130 injuries reported within a span of thirteen months, according to SBM Intelligence. The analysis highlights that from January 2023 to February 2024, 19 local governments experienced targeted attacks by bandits, notably impacting the regions of Otupkpo, Apa, Ukum, Gwer West, and Guma. These areas are crucial for the nation's agricultural output, contributing significantly to the production of soybeans, citrus fruits, mangoes, roots, and tubers.
These incidents have instilled a sense of fear among farmers, many of whom have ceased their agricultural activities, thereby exacerbating the challenges within the sector. Nigeria has witnessed a deceleration in agricultural sector growth due to increasing insecurity and other adversities over the past four years. Muda Yusuf, from The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, identifies insecurity as a pervasive national concern, directly affecting food inflation and thereby, the nutritional intake of the population. The situation has also been linked to potential rises in crime rates due to unemployment in the agricultural sector.
Furthermore, the report by SBM Intelligence disclosed that farmers in the North-West region have paid substantial sums to bandits over four years, reflecting the widespread nature of insecurity across Nigeria's agricultural heartlands. This has significantly impacted food production and availability, with Edobong Akpabio, from the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, noting a 60% reduction in food production in key states due to insecurity.
Source: businessday.ng