Kehinde Fajobi
As dry season farming begins across the country, farmers in Sokoto State, under the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), have called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to eradicate the Lakurawa terrorist group threatening their region.
Speaking to Vanguard on Sunday, the Chairman of AFAN in Sokoto State, Jamilu Mohammed, commended the military’s intervention but emphasised the need to sustain the offensive to ensure farmers can return to their fields.
“The Sokoto State government has launched a community guard, which is helping to tackle these situations. But the Lakurawa group is coming with sophisticated weapons and is more organised than the bandits.
“So we believe it is the military’s efforts that will eliminate them,” Mohammed stated.
He acknowledged the military’s ongoing operations in the region, saying, “To be fair to the government, the military has already commenced operations to eliminate them.
“It is a threat to farmers, which is why we are speaking out now, but the security forces have responded. They have already launched operations against them.”
Mohammed noted the group’s violent activities have directly impacted farmers in the state.
“All those killed by them (Lakurawa) are our members. There is not a single person affected who is not one of us,” he revealed.
He called for a lasting solution to the insecurity plaguing Sokoto State, highlighting its impact on food production.
“We need a permanent solution to the insecurity challenges that farmers and the people of Sokoto State are facing. Ad-hoc or temporary solutions will not be effective. Lakurawa must be eliminated quickly so we can return to our regular farming activities.”
Commenting on the effects of the 2024 floods on farming in the state, Mohammed said the devastation has worsened food inflation.
“The flood has certainly affected our farmers. The impact is evident, and it has contributed to food inflation for the time being, depending on when the farmers harvested this dry season. That is part of the reason why food prices are not decreasing, despite the fact that we are in the peak season.”
He acknowledged the government’s efforts in addressing the situation, saying, “They are working on it. The Sokoto State government has formed a committee to assess the situation, and even the federal government, through NEMA, is also working on it.”