Taraba State is grappling with a surge in foodstuff prices attributed to the disruptive activities of bandits, hindering farmers from harvesting their crops.
Investigations reveal that these bandits have displaced numerous farmers across Bali, Ussa, Takum, and Ardo_Kola local government areas, compelling them to abandon their fields without reaping matured produce.
The marauding bandits’ actions have led to a grim situation where a 100kg bag of maize now commands N32,000, a stark increase from the N18,000 during the corresponding harvesting period last year. Similarly, the cost of a 100kg bag of paddy has risen to N25,000, up from N17,000 in the same period last year.
The devastating impact extends beyond economic consequences, with reports indicating that many farmers fell victim to the bandits, facing either fatal attacks or abductions in the affected areas.
Lami John, a farmer from Kwando area in Ardo Kola Local Government Area, recounted a harrowing experience, stating that armed bandits invaded their community just after they had harvested maize. Consequently, numerous farmers and their families were abducted, while those fortunate enough, including herself and her children, sought refuge in a nearby forest.
“We slept in the forest till the following day and trekked to Jalingo and since then, l have not gone back to my farm and l don’t know if my crops are still there or eaten by cows,” she said.
In Ussa and Takum local government areas, many farmers were killed in recent attacks and as a result, many farmers have abandoned their farms without harvesting their crops.
Mr Bulus Andeyake told Daily Trust on Sunday that bandits invaded their communities and prevented farmers from harvesting their crops.
“In our area, going to the farm is very risky because bandits are everywhere, harassing innocent farmers,” he said.
Bulus stated that apart from many farmers killed by bandits in the last few months, 11 farmers were killed by bandits on Sunday around Jenuwagida while going to harvest their crops.
He said two farmers were also killed on Tuesday in their farm in the same area.
Bulus appealed to security agents to double their effort in fighting bandits in order to free farming communities from the bandits.
Another farmer, Dauda Maihula, said many farmers are afraid to go their farms to harvest their crops because of the presence of armed bandits.
He said on Tuesday, 14 hunters were killed in the area by bandits during a face-to-face confrontation.
Dauda said the hunters got killed while fighting the bandits who invaded farming communities and prevented them from going to their farms.
A grain trader at Iware grains market, Alhaji Haruna Jafar, told Daily Trust that prices of grains will continue to rise because of the activities of the bandits.
He said in areas around Kwando in Ardo Kola LGA and Dakka in Bali LGA, bandits have taken over many farming communities and prevented farmers from harvesting their crops.
Haruna stated that many rice, maize, soya beans and cowpea farmers did not harvest their crops for fear of the bandits.
He commended hunters and security agents for doing their best in confronting bandits in the state.
