Military conducts aerial, land patrols to protect farmers

In response to a wave of deadly attacks on farmers across the country, the military has intensified aerial and ground patrols to safeguard agricultural communities and boost food security.

Reports from incidents between January and July 2025 reveal a grim trend of violence targeting farmers.

For instance, on January 13, terrorists killed at least 40 farmers in Borno State.

Another 15 were slaughtered in Waje village, Kebbi State, on May 19, while 20 were massacred in March during coordinated attacks across four communities in Ala Elefosan, Ondo State.

That same month, suspected herdsmen murdered five more farmers in the Aba Oyinbo community in Akure North Local Government Area.

In April, the notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, was reportedly behind the killing of 11 farmers in Sokoto State.

Most recently, 27 men and women were murdered on July 16 by gunmen in Bindi-Jebbu, Tahoss community, in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Amid rising public concerns over these attacks and their implications for food security, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Markus Kangye, assured that the military was actively working to protect farmers across the country.

“Farmers in the North East, particularly northern Borno, North West, North Central, and other areas affected by conflicts have started farming activities as our troops have significantly degraded terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements who hitherto obstructed farming activities in the areas,” Kangye said.

He added that troops were conducting aggressive foot and aerial patrols across farming communities in all theatres in order to guarantee security for the farmers.

Kangye said, “Our troops have been conducting aggressive foot and aerial patrols across farming communities in all theatres to guarantee security for the farmers.”

Responding to concerns that southern farming communities might have been excluded from these protective measures, Kangye clarified that the military’s operations were nationwide.

“I talk in general terms when I say troops are providing a conducive atmosphere for farmers to farm. It is not only peculiar to the North-West or the North-East. It is also happening across all theatres,” he noted.

The military’s intervention comes as stakeholders warn of a looming food crisis if urgent measures are not taken to secure farmers and their lands from violent threats.

The Director of the Nutrition and Food Safety Department at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security,

Nuhu Kilishi, on July 12, raised concerns that about 161 million Nigerians were currently food insecure, even as it intensified efforts to avert an impending food and nutrition crisis.

According to Kilishi, food insecurity in Nigeria has risen sharply in recent years, with moderate and severe levels increasing from 35 per cent in 2014 to approximately 74 per cent.

“Only 20 per cent of Nigerians are currently food secure, meaning they are certain of their next meal,” he said, attributing the worsening trend to insecurity and economic hardship.