Niger farmers kick against destruction of farmlands, crops by State Govt

Communities in Niger North Senatorial District (Zone C) have kicked against the agricultural policy of Governor Mohammed Bago’s administration, describing it as a plan to cheat and forcefully confiscate their farmlands.

It was gathered that this reaction followed ongoing destruction of over 60 hectares of farmlands that belong to some farmers in Mariga, Kampanin Bobi and Durgu communities of Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.

DAILY POST learnt residents of the communities were taken by surprise by the action of the state government, which did go down well with them and therefore, accused it of cheating and plotting to collect their lands by force.

It was gathered that the operation started last week Thursday and up till this moment, more crops are being destroyed in the communities, where almost 200 farmers have already been affected.

A resident of the area, Musa Sale Bobi said currently the government has forcefully taken over their farmlands with the tractors of Niger Food Company on ground, destroying several hectares of farmlands with grown maize and other crops without compensating nor informing owners of farmlands of its decision.

According to him, “The state government’s tractors have started work last week Thursday and it is ongoing up till today with crops being destroyed on these lands. So far, over 200 farmers with about 50 hectares of cultivated farmlands have been affected already.”

Lamenting the situation, some of the victims accused the government of forcefully confiscating their farmlands, particularly for failing to enlighten or inform them before embarking on the destruction of the farmlands.

They appealed to the government to ensure the affected farmers whose farmlands were destroyed are adequately compensated and provided alternative farmlands for their farming activities.

Abubakar Yari Kampanin Bobi, one of the affected farmers, in an interview monitored on Prestige FM in Minna, lamented that his farmland of 52 years, with grown maize covering two hectares, was totally destroyed, adding, “The state government started destroying our crops without informing nor compensating us.”

Also, Alhaji Sanusi S. Power, from Mariga, said, “My 23 years farm which covers 13 hectares where I applied 21 cartons of chemicals have been destroyed. My friend’s 30 hectares of farmland have been destroyed.”

Similarly, Ibrahim Yerima, who has eight hectares of farmland, said his farmland had been taken over and the crops destroyed.

In the same vein, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Zonal Chairman, Alhaji Yahaya Ability, who equally hails from the zone, decried the action of the government, especially for destroying the farm crops in over 200 farmland in Mariga, Kampanin Bobi and Durgu areas.

He described the action as inhuman, heartless, wicked and uncalled for while calling on Governor Bago to, as a matter of urgency, find appropriate solution without delay.

Ability added, “We are calling on the electorates to have a rethink by voting out the current APC led government at all levels come 2027 so as to regain the lost glory of peace and tranquility as well as economic stability of Niger State where everyone will benefit from government opportunities.”

When contacted, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Bawa Bosso assured that the affected farmers would be appropriately compensated.

He adding that the exercise was geared towards achieving the agricultural revolution policy of the Governor Bago administration, to ensure food security and sufficiency in the state.