At least 137 farmers lost their lives while 25 others were kidnapped across 13 states in Northern Nigeria between May 3, 2022 and May 26 of this year.
A chart of media reports collated by SMB Intelligence revealed the statistics. Borno State alone represents the entire North East with 46 farmers killed and six kidnapped within the period under review. In total, the research organisation says 166 farmers were killed while 67 others were abducted across the country.
While there was no record of kidnapping in the North Central, Nasarawa tops the chat with 23 farmers who lost their lives. It was followed by Kogi as two farmers’ deaths were recorded in Benue and Kwara each. Niger and Plateau states had one casualty each.
In banditry-ravaged North West, 19 farmers were abducted in Kaduna, while 10 lost their lives. Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto share 15 casualties each. However, relatively peaceful Jigawa had two cases of slain farmers as Kano recorded one.
These statistics, WikkiTimes understands resulted from decades-long herders-farmers conflicts that have claimed scores of lives, especially in the northern part of the country where pastoral Fulani herders and various farming communities fight over arable land resources. The conflict, according to reports is being exacerbated as a result of some demographical, ecological and environmental issues such as climate change.
Fights often break out due to the destruction of crops, contamination of streams by cattle and overstressing of farming lands.
THE RECENT KILLINGS, KIDNAPPINGS
Although SBM Intelligence gave the record as per the earlier mentioned timeframe, a number of farmers have lost their lives in recent attacks.
In separate, coordinated attacks that lasted for three days, bandits reportedly killed about 50 farmers and displaced many locals across communities in Rafi local government area of Niger State.
WikkiTimes had earlier reported that 13 locals, including a vigilante commander, were killed in Kusheriki village under Rafi LGA. They also kidnapped three locals from Katako. Both villages are not far from other.
Also in Plateau State, 85 locals — mostly farmers — were killed in a violent clash between herders and farmers in some communities under Mangu local council. According to our previous report, over 50 of the slain locals were given mass burial.
