Insecurity: Hunger looms as farmers abandon farms

If urgent actions are not taken by the Federal Government, farming and hunger may begin to loom in the Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, as farmers in the areas have abandoned agricultural activities on their farmlands, due to the resurgence of terrorism and other criminal acts perpetrated by non-state actors in the rural communities. FarmingFarmersFarms reports that no fewer than 20% of farmlands in the Local Government Area were been attacked, as the local farmers had run away for their lives, leaving the terrorists to hold sway.

Confirming the reports, a traditional title holder of Dan Masanin Birnin-Gwari and former Managing Director of Kaduna State Media Corporation, Zubairu Abdurrauf said, ”Well, the resurgence of armed banditry, kidnappings and burning of villages and towns by the terrorists in Birnin-Gwari Local Government as a whole, is sending a signal of famine in our area. This is because as it is now, most of the farming communities cannot access their farms. If by last year, out of 100% of arable land the farmers were able to only cultivate about 45%, I doubt if in this planting season, we can be able to see our people plant in their various farms that would reach 15 or 20%.

“So, the alarming nature of these incidences was as a result of these terrorists coming back in full swing, trying to see how far they can be able to get more money from people. Our people are living in abject poverty and they don’t have money. These terrorists came calling, asking and sending messages of abduction. For instance, the terrorists have been attacking from all corners. The Birnin-Gwari Kaduna highway has become a nightmare. Everyday in a particular location, these terrorists would abduct, kill and maim many people, innocent travellers. If the military were able to safeguard the highways and protect the communities, there was still much to do in the hard-to-reach areas or the extreme parts of the Local Government Area”, he added.

He, therefore, suggested a synergy, between the military and locals in the affected communities, insisting that an inter-agency collaboration was imperative towards finding a solution to the killings in the area. While linking the resurgence of terrorism in the area to the Supreme Court judgment that allowed the free flow of cash, hitherto regulated by the Naira redesign policy, the Dan Masanin Birnin-Gwari said terrorists were now wild and out to perpetrate their nefarious activities, get more money to take care of themselves and buy more arms.