Afenifere raises alarm over attacks on farmers in South-West Nigeria

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, Afenifere highlighted that many incidents go unreported. The organization's visits to the Oke-Ogun Area and northern parts of Oyo and Ondo States revealed that farmers are abandoning their lands due to fear of kidnapping, low produce prices caused by middlemen, and unchecked grazing by herders. Recent examples include the killing of a female farmer in Ondo State, the abduction of poultry farmer Ooreoluwa Osonuga in Ogun State, and the killing of four farmers in Oyo State.

The All Farmers Association of Nigeria reported in June that persistent abductions have discouraged investment and reduced agricultural productivity. Afenifere warned that these issues paint a bleak picture for agriculture and risk hunger if insecurity is not addressed. The organization commended President Bola Tinubu's directive for a comprehensive National Threat Assessment and a five-year Strategic Defence Operations Plan.

Afenifere also praised authorities for the recent rescue of abducted students and teachers in Oyo and Borno States, urging similar efforts for those still held captive. They proposed solutions including robust military action, tighter border control, community policing, addressing incentives for kidnapping, and economic reforms. Specifically, Af