Attahiru Bafarawa, a former Governor of Sokoto State, expressed deep concern over the rampant activities of bandits in the northern region of Nigeria.
According to him, bandit attacks compelled him to abandon his expansive 10,000-hectare farmland in Kaduna State.
Speaking out amidst the escalating food prices, Bafarawa painted a grim picture of the plight of farmers who are forced to seek permission from bandits before tending to their lands, a situation that has become all too common.
Recalling his personal experience, Bafarawa disclosed, “I used to have farmland, which is over 10,000 hectares in Birni Gwari of Kaduna State. I have been cultivating that land since 1979, but I cannot reach there now because of the bandits.
“The maize I produced that time is in commercial quantity that, I used part of it for my flour mill which is also out of production. The issue of insecurity is behind the high cost of food items because many farmers have been displaced.”
Attributing the current food crisis in the country to activities of bandits, Bafarawa reiterated the urgent need for collaborative efforts between the federal, state, and local governments to address insecurity, particularly in the northern regions.
Despite previously warning the Federal Government about the looming food insecurity, Bafarawa expressed regret that his advice went unheeded.
“There was a time I warned the federal government about the impending food insecurity in the country, but my advice was ignored.
“The state governments cannot do it alone without the support of the Federal Government,” he concluded.
