Surge in Attacks on Nigerian Farmers Worsens Food Crisis

ARAC International Strategic Communications - This risk assessment analyzes the worsening food crisis in Nigeria, driven by escalating attacks on farmers by armed groups, climate-related challenges, and economic factors. It evaluates five key risks including food insecurity, economic disruption, climate impact, government policy failure, and continued instability, assigning risk ratings ranging from medium to extreme. The report offers insights into the multifaceted crisis, recommends mitigation measures, and explores potential geopolitical implications, emphasizing the need for urgent and comprehensive solutions.

The commentary towards the end of the report explores how implementing the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) Positive Peace Framework could provide a strategic pathway to address the crisis. By focusing on the eight pillars of Positive Peace, including government functionality, equitable resource distribution, and low corruption, the framework offers insights into creating lasting peace and resilience in Nigeria.

ABUJA, Nigeria, August 7, 2023 - A grim picture is emerging in Nigeria as the country faces an escalating wave of attacks and kidnappings against farmers by armed groups. Save the Children warns that this violence is not only taking lives but also stifling food supplies, pushing the nation towards a dire hunger crisis in 2023.

According to data from the Nigerian Security Tracker, between January and June 2023, armed groups killed over 128 farmers and kidnapped 37 across Nigeria. In northern Borno State alone, non-state armed groups claimed the lives of 19 farmers in June.
These relentless attacks lead to displacement, disruption of markets, and loss of livelihoods, all hindering critical food supplies. A farmer named Bulama, who has been in the field for 35 years in northeast Nigeria, gave a harrowing account of how this year has been particularly challenging due to the kidnappings and killings of his fellow farmers.

"They have killed and stolen our farm produce, leaving us helpless and with nothing to take home," Bulama stated. He explained that farming, despite being a risk to life, is essential for survival; stopping means his children would die.
Ongoing insecurity, protracted conflicts, and rising food prices further exacerbate the food insecurity situation. In January, the UN projected that more than 25 million people in Nigeria could face food insecurity this year, marking a 47% increase from the 17 million people already at risk.

To view the entire risk assessment, log on to our newsletter (link below) and subscribe.

The ARAC Commitment

ARAC International is deeply committed to global security and public safety, aligning its efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 16 and 17. The organization recognizes the crucial role that effective security measures play in fostering sustainable development, promoting peace, and ensuring the well-being of communities worldwide.