The recent kidnapping of Chief Ajayi Bello, a 72-year-old livestock farmer from Ponyan, Yagba West in Kogi State, has sent shockwaves through the agricultural community in Nigeria. As a journalist turned farmer, I am deeply concerned about the safety and security of farmers like Chief Bello, who have dedicated their lives to feeding the nation. The fact that he remains in captivity two weeks after his abduction, with seemingly little effort from the government to secure his release, is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of rural communities to banditry and kidnapping. Notably, I have yet to read any official release from the Kogi State Commissioner of Agriculture, the Minister of Agriculture, or the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, and even the livestock farmers’ associations seem muted.
My own experience with the risks of farming in Nigeria resonates deeply with Chief Bello’s ordeal. In two consecutive years, my cassava farm in Kogi State was invaded by Fulani herders, who fed my entire crop to their cattle. It was a devastating blow to my agricultural endeavors. However, Chief Bello’s kindness and encouragement helped me to stay committed to farming. He not only offered words of encouragement but also visited my farm in Lokoja and provided me with some noiler chicks free of charge to start poultry farming. His selflessness and dedication to the agricultural sector make his kidnapping all the more tragic.
Chief Bello’s abduction is not just a local issue; it has far-reaching implications for the agricultural sector in Nigeria. As a prominent figure in the industry, his safety and security are crucial to maintaining the confidence of farmers and investors. The thought of his community, Ponyan, and surrounding areas living in fear and anxiety, hesitant to tend to their farms, is a dire prospect. How can we tackle food insecurity when farmers and their crops are no longer safe?
I urge the government to take immediate action to address the security challenges facing rural communities. Farmers are the backbone of our economy, and it is the government’s responsibility to protect them. We need to rethink security in our villages and communities, which practically feed our urban centers. What plans does the Government at all levels have in place for farmers kidnapped from their farms or whose crops have been destroyed? The answer to these questions will determine the future of agriculture in Nigeria.
The kidnapping of Chief Ajayi Bello is a wake-up call for all stakeholders in the agricultural sector. We must come together to demand action from the government to ensure the safety and security of farmers and their crops. The fate of our food security and the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians depend on it.
– Dayo Thomas, a Concerned Farmer
