The Nigerian military has taken the fight against bandits to the northern farmlands, deploying soldiers to protect farmers from attacks.

The move comes as the country grapples with a growing food crisis, exacerbated by insecurity in the agricultural sector.

According to the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Edward Buba, the deployment is focused on the North West and North Central states, where farmers have been major targets for bandits and terrorists. The military high command has assured that the deployment will enable farmers to have a hitch-free planting season, leading to a bumper harvest.

He said, “With the commencement of the rainy season, troops are currently deployed in several of the northern, particularly in the NW and NC states to provide protection for farmers. The deployment has enabled several farmers’ access to their farm for a hitch-free planting season towards a bumper harvest.”

The deployment comes as a response to the growing number of attacks on farmers, which has resulted in the loss of lives and livelihoods.

In the first quarter of this year alone, over 332 farmers were killed across the country, marking a significant increase compared to the same period last year.

Farmers in the North have also been forced to pay farm levies to bandits, with a recent report by SBM Intelligence revealing that farmers paid an estimated sum of N139m as farm levies to bandits between 2020 and 2023.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has also announced that the police have commenced patrols on farms to boost farmers’ confidence.

He said, “In the North East, we have started farm patrol to give confidence back to farmers to return to the farm. Mr. President is very, very concerned about it, and we are doing our best.

“But let me also add that the security landscape in Nigeria is complex and diverse.”