Food security: DHQ deploys troops to secure farmers

The Defence Headquarters has said troops have been deployed across farms in the northern part of the country, especially in the North West and North Central.

According to the military high command, the deployment was to ensure the adequate protection of farmers from bandits, terrorists and other criminal elements.

Farmers have been a major target for bandits and terrorists who levied them indiscriminately, destroyed their produce, kidnapped and even killed them in some instances.

This comes as Nigeria faces its highest-ever food inflation rate, recorded at forty-point-eight per cent by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics in June. 

The Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun had said the police had commenced patrols on farms to boost farmers’ confidence.

In an interview with newsmen, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, stated that troops deployment began with the commencement of the rainy season. 

Buba added the deployment was to ensure farmers have a bumper harvest.