NSCDC encourages 1, 830 Borno farmers return to farm
The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it has provided protection to 1, 830 resettled farmers to enable them cultivate their farmlands in Borno state.
Commandant of the corps in the state, Ibrahim Abdullahi, made the disclosure in an interview on Tuesday in Maiduguri.
Abdullahi said the agro ranger squad is designed to give physical protection to agro-allied investments, including farmlands, livestock, silos and ranches as well as preventing farmer/ herders’ conflicts.
He said that it is also designed to ensure stable livelihood and enhance food security for sustainable social and economic development of the state.
Abdullahi disclosed that the state command of the corps has deployed about 200 combined teams comprising NSCDC personnel, members of the civilian joint task force and hunters to protect farmers against attacks by insurgents.
He noted that farming activities have resumed in areas, hitherto, terrorised by the insurgents, adding that before now, “farmers were attacked, farmlands destroyed and some of them were kidnapped by the insurgents.”
The commandant said that farming activities has fully resumed in Njimtilo, Molai, Muna, Dalori, Jere, Maiduguri, Baga and Gubio axis.
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“A survey conducted by men of the command revealed that about 250 farmers returned to their farmlands in Njimtilo, 730 in Molai, 300 in Dalori and 150 in Muna, while 400 farmers returned to their farms in Gubio axis,” he said.
The commandant said that most of the farmers expressed their joy as they recorded bumper harvest, especially in rice, sorghum, beans, sesame seeds, maize and other cash crops.
Abdullahi said that the squad also recorded successes in checking farmers and herders’ clashes through quick response to flash-points and any crisis.
He said that the command has trained personnel on conflict management and resolution techniques under its dispute resolution campaign.
“Through the intervention of the command, many conflicts were prevented while rustled livestock belonging to herdsman were recovered from criminal elements,” he said.
He commended Governor Babagana Zulum for support to the command with operational vehicles, personnel welfare and logistics, adding that the gesture enhances the operations of the corps.
