NIGERIA: Federal Government Pledges Security Support For Farmers Ahead of Rainy Season

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria

The Federal Government (FG) has assured Nigerian farmers of strengthened security measures to enable a safe return to their farmlands ahead of the 2025 rainy season.

Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, gave the assurance during a media briefing in Maradun, Zamfara State, on Sunday.

According to Matawelle, the government had deployed forest guards and introduced modern surveillance technologies to monitor and address security threats, particularly in rural farming communities vulnerable to bandit attacks.

He said: “We are taking all necessary steps to ensure farmers return safely to their farms with full protection from any security threats across the country.”

The minister noted that the Federal Government’s approach includes both military and non-military strategies.

He also revealed that efforts were underway to develop indigenous defence systems tailored to Nigeria’s security realities, with the potential for future export to other countries facing similar challenges.

Matawalle called on state governments to complement federal efforts by providing critical logistical support to security agencies, including accommodation, vehicles, and intelligence-gathering resources.

He criticised what he described as a tendency by some state leaders to engage in political blame games rather than contributing to the broader national response to insecurity.

“Security is a shared responsibility,” he said, urging citizens and political leaders to support President Bola Tinubu’s multidimensional strategy to end criminality.

The assurance comes amid growing concern over the impact of insecurity on food production, especially in northern Nigeria, where many farmers have been displaced due to banditry and insurgency.

Stakeholders in the agriculture sector have consistently called for better protection of rural areas to avert food shortages and economic strain.