Commandant Ishaku Musa

The Plateau State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has expressed satisfaction over the significant role played by its Agro Rangers unit in ensuring the safety of farmlands and farmers across the state during the ongoing wet season. The State Commandant, Ishaku Musa, made this known during a media chat at the NSCDC Headquarters in Jos, where he also commended Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang for his administration’s unwavering support for both security and agriculture.

According to Commandant Musa, the proactive deployment of over 450 Agro Rangers operatives to farming communities has drastically improved the security landscape in rural areas, encouraging thousands of farmers to return to their farmlands and resume full-scale cultivation. These deployments have covered all 17 local government areas of the state, particularly focusing on previously volatile areas such as Bokkos, Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bassa, Wase, and Langtang North.

Musa disclosed that over 7,800 farmers have returned to their farms in locations that were once abandoned due to security threats. He added that the Agro Rangers not only provided protection but also actively engaged in resolving land disputes and mediating conflicts between farmers and herders. He revealed that 124 farmer-herder disputes were peacefully resolved so far this season, a sharp decline from the more than 300 cases reported during the same period last year.

The improved security has already translated into measurable gains in food production. Livestock owners have also benefitted, with improved grazing arrangements facilitated by the Agro Rangers in partnership with community leaders and traditional rulers.

Commandant Musa attributed much of the success to the commitment of Governor Mutfwang, who he said has provided vital support in terms of logistics and policy direction.

The commandant further urged Plateau residents, particularly in rural areas, to continue cooperating with the NSCDC and other security agencies by reporting suspicious activities promptly. He emphasized that security is a collective responsibility and that community involvement remains critical to sustaining the current momentum.

Commandant Musa concluded by expressing confidence that if these efforts are maintained, Plateau State could witness a historic transformation in food production and rural economic stability. Experts from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture have projected that Plateau may contribute up to 18% of the North Central zone’s total grain output by the end of 2025, up from 11% in 2023. Farmers across the state have already described this season as the most peaceful and productive in recent memory, crediting both the Agro Rangers and the state government for their renewed sense of safety and purpose.