In a plea to bandits, Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Sa’idu Namaska, urged them to halt their activities and allow farmers to carry out the 2021 farming season without any disturbances.
He noted the scarcity of food due to the impact of COVID-19 and insecurity on the 2020 farming season, emphasizing that the current situation could escalate if farmers are unable to return to their fields.
Represented by the Niger State Chairman of the All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Alhaji Shehu Galadima at the Third Niger Wet Season Agricultural Inputs and Equipment Fair in Minna, the Emir also called for the government to recruit more agro-rangers to safeguard the farmers during their farming activities.
He conveyed,
“Dear bandits, please allow us to farm. We all need food, and by farming, we can ensure its availability…Please, permit us to farm.”
Niger State Commissioner for Agriculture, Zakari Haliru Jikantoro, assured farmers that the state government is making significant efforts to ensure the safety of all citizens in the state.
Jikantoro also mentioned that the incidence of banditry in the state has decreased due to the security strategies implemented by the government recently.
He mentioned,
“It is evident that the government has implemented measures to protect the farmers from the impact of banditry and insecurity.”