In combating insecurity in farmlands which has been the clog in the wheel of food production in the country over the years, on Monday, August 12, 2024, the Federal Government through the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) announced the deployment of 10,000 agro-rangers across 19 states including the FCT.
Olusegun Dada, the Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on New Media, who disclosed this in a post on his official X account added that the agro-rangers initiative is a collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC).
He wrote, “As part of ongoing efforts to enhance food security in the Northern region and other parts of the country, the FG through the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps(NSCDC) has deployed over 10,000 Agro Rangers across 19 states and the FCT.
“The Agro Rangers will, among other things; safeguard farmlands and protect farmers from escalating attacks, mediate conflicts between farmers and herders, and prevent malicious destruction of farmlands. While the food inflation crisis in the country is a function of many factors, insecurity has been a long-term challenge and this collaboration between the NSCDC and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is expected to solve a major challenge faced by farmers across the country.”
‘ Insecurity In Nigeria’s Farmlands’
Nigeria has been grappling with insecurity in its farmlands in the last two decades. In Kaduna, Kano, Borno, Katsina and other food-producing states in the country, insurgents and herders have reportedly invaded farmlands and unleashed terror on farmers. A week ago, some insurgents stormed the farming communities in Benue State and killed no fewer than 20 innocent farmers.
This incessant killings of farmers and wanton destruction of farmlands by insurgents and herders have made many farmers desert their farmlands to venture into other businesses. As a result of this, the food production in the country has reduced drastically and the prices of available farm produce have skyrocketed.
‘ FG, Walking its Talk’
Saddened by the increased insecurity in the country, the federal government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu earlier this year at the National Economic Council (NEC) proposed to establish agro-rangers as a short-term solution to the numerous problems insecurity in the country pending when state police will be created as a long-term solution to nip the menace in the bud.
Security experts have said the creation of state police will stem the tide of insecurity in the country, particularly in the northern region where insurgent groups have killed thousands of Nigerians and made several homeless. According to the FG, the agro-rangers will be deployed to most of the northern states where farmers had deserted their farms as a result of the invasion of herders and bandits.
‘Experts Insights’
While experts commend the federal government for the agro-rangers initiative as a temporary solution to the problem of insecurity in the country, they urge the FG to ensure that the security operatives are equipped with modern weapons and technologies that will enable them to detect the hideouts those criminal elements and safeguard the country’s farmlands.
Similarly, Deputy Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Lagos chapter, Mr Shakin Agbayewa, equally commended the FG agro rangers initiative but urged the government to increase the number of rangers. “This is a great step in addressing food security in the country. It is a good step because if our farms are not secured, then achieving food security will be like paying lip service.
“This food insecurity can explode and consume the nation if we do not address it. The government is now awake by providing these agro-rangers to protect our farms. However, considering the size of the agro-rangers deployed to each state, what is the land capacity they want to secure? It is quite insufficient. Depending on their deployment, are they going to be securing only one or two farms?” he queried
