Fresh attacks by armed groups in Plateau and Kwara states have disrupted the 2026 farming season, forcing hundreds of farmers to abandon their fields amid growing fears over food production and rural security.
In Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, gunmen launched coordinated attacks on several farming communities, killing residents, destroying homes and forcing many families to flee. Community leaders said the violence has left large areas of farmland inaccessible at the height of the planting season, raising concerns that thousands of hectares of cultivable land could remain unused this year.
Residents reported that many farmers have been unable to return to their fields because of fears of renewed attacks, while those who fled are taking shelter in neighboring communities and temporary camps.
A similar situation has emerged in parts of Kwara State, where repeated attacks and kidnappings have driven farmers away from rural settlements. Local officials and agricultural groups warned that insecurity is disrupting cultivation, threatening harvests and worsening concerns over food availability in affected areas.
The renewed violence comes at a critical period for Nigeria’s agricultural calendar, when farmers are expected to be planting staple crops such as maize, rice, yam and cassava. Agricultural experts warn that prolonged insecurity during this phase could significantly reduce yields later in the year, putting additional pressure on food prices.
Community leaders in Plateau appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies to deploy more personnel to vulnerable farming communities, arguing that restoring security is essential to preventing further displacement and ensuring farmers can return to their land.
Security agencies said operations are ongoing to track those responsible for the attacks, although no group has claimed responsibility. Authorities have also pledged to strengthen patrols in affected rural areas.
The latest incidents underscore the growing impact of insecurity on Nigeria’s agricultural sector, with recurring attacks, banditry and communal violence increasingly disrupting farming activities across several states. Analysts warn that unless rural communities are adequately protected, the country could face further declines in agricultural output and heightened food inflation in the months ahead.
