Farmers in Peril: The Devastating Impact of Banditry and Insecurity

Dayo Thomas

Farm invasions, banditry, and killings of farmers in Nigeria have led to significant losses, with many abandoning their farms due to fear of violence. In Katsina State, over 5,884 farmlands covering approximately 58,330 hectares were abandoned, affecting food production. The Nigerian government and insurance companies are being urged to develop policies that cover risks such as herdsmen attacks, banditry, and climate change

Mallam Hassan Baba , a farmer from kano state has called on relevant agencies in nigeria to facilitate stronger compensatory gestures for farmers in the country

This is because, the attacks have resulted in significant human suffering, with over 1,356 farmers killed in northern Nigeria between 2020 and 2024. Many farmers have been forced to pay substantial sums to bandits for permission to farm, with some paying up to ₦100,000. The violence has disrupted food production, leading to soaring food prices and exacerbating hunger and malnutrition in the country

The economic impact of these attacks is staggering, with estimated losses of around ₦6 million per farmer in Katsina State and ₦30 billion to ₦50 billion in Zamfara State. The situation is particularly dire in states like Plateau, Edo, Ondo, Borno, and Benue, where attacks on farmers have been reported