Escalating Killings Pose Threat To North Central States And Food Production

Escalating Killings Pose Threat To North Central States And Food Production

A surge in brutal killings within Nigeria’s North Central geopolitical zone, which has intensified since May 2023, raising the death toll to over 1,200 in just three months, now poses a significant menace to the combined N28 trillion Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the six states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the 2021 GDP of these six states is as follows: N4.58 trillion (Niger), N4.27 trillion (Benue), N3.69 trillion (Kogi), N1.86 trillion (Nasarawa), N1.50 trillion (Plateau), and N1.38 trillion (Kwara).

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Furthermore, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) contributes N10.6 trillion to this GDP, as indicated by NBS data from 2017, resulting in a collective GDP of N28 trillion for the six states and the FCT.

The recent surge in banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency across these states has severely impacted various sectors, including agriculture, tourism, and the hospitality industry, thereby posing a threat to the North Central region.

Investigations carried out by The Guardian since May 2023 reveal that more than 1,200 deaths have resulted from banditry, kidnapping, herders-farmers conflicts, and unidentified gunmen in the area.

In addition to the human cost, over 45 million individuals from the region have been adversely affected, with many seeking refuge in neighboring areas to escape the violence.

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The Nigeria Security Tracker (NST) corroborates the concerning trend of reported killings in the region.

The NST collects and documents instances of political violence through a weekly survey of domestic and international media sources, though it acknowledges that inconsistencies and imprecise reporting can affect the data.

Sen. Sani Musa reported that within his constituency in Niger State, approximately 90 villagers in Paikoro, Shiroro, and Rafi local governments were killed in July 2023 alone.

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Nasarawa State has similarly experienced deadly violence, with no fewer than 250 killings recorded since May 2023. Notably, 38 residents of Takalafia and Gwanja communities in Karu Local Government Area were killed in an attack by herdsmen, including the Pastor of Evangelical Church Winning All in the region, Rev. Daniel Danbeki.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has also witnessed a resurgence of bandit attacks, with flashpoints such as the Kuje Area Council frequently targeted by kidnappers.

The situation has prompted concerns from civil society organizations regarding the perceived inactivity of the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies.

Amid these challenges, food production in Nigeria is at risk. In key crop-producing states like Benue and Kaduna, herders’ attacks have led to food scarcity and inflation, further exacerbating the nation’s food crisis.

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Community leaders and experts stress the need for decisive action and community policing to restore security and enable farmers to engage in productive activities without fear.

The series of attacks, reprisals, and reprisal attacks highlight the complex security landscape and underscore the urgency of effective interventions to preserve both human lives and the nation’s food security.