As the dry season sets in and clearing the bushes that serve as hideouts to bandits terrorising communities in parts of the North commenced, many of the assailants have begun peace moves with local communities to avert counteroffensive against them, an investigation by Daily Trust reveals.
The gunmen had been particularly ravenous since the start of the rainy season some six months ago, launching ceaseless attacks on farming communities in parts of Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna, and Niger states.
The attacks made a lot of farmers abandon their farmlands, even as the gang leaders imposed levies in form of labour and cash on those allowed to access their farms.
The sacking of the farming communities has taken a toll on food production in the region with experts warning of food shortage and possible famine.
With thousands of farmers unable to farm or harvest their produce, food price is on an uphill journey despite the harvest season.
In their latest, “Hunger Hotspots” outlook, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and the World Food Programme has projected that about 13.6 million Nigerians face food insecurity. The figures were 48% higher than the same period last year.
Read More: https://dailytrust.com/bandits-stranded-make-peace-with-communities
