Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, has issued an order for the immediate arrest of Isyaku Katanga, the chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Kiyawa Local Government Area for alleged extortion.
The directive follows allegations of extortion made against the AFAN chairman during the Governor’s unscheduled visit to input distribution centers for the 2025 wheat farming program in Kiyawa and Birninkudu local government areas.
During his visit, Governor Namadi was confronted by several farmers who accused Katanga of inflating the official payment for farm inputs by an additional two thousand Naira.
This alleged act of extortion was met with immediate condemnation by the Governor, who emphasized that such behavior would not be tolerated under any circumstances.
In his statement, Governor Namadi stressed, “We will not tolerate such acts of extortion. Whoever is involved must be held accountable and refund the money to the farmers.”
He reiterated his commitment to ensuring that the integrity of the agricultural programs remains intact and that farmers are not subjected to unfair practices.
The Governor has directed the state police command to apprehend Isyaku Katanga and carry out a full investigation into the allegations. Authorities have also been tasked with recovering any funds that may have been illegally taken from the farmers.
Governor Namadi also expressed his deep concern regarding the delays and disorganized nature of the input distribution process.
He called on all relevant stakeholders to expedite their efforts to ensure that farmers receive their full allocation of farm inputs as mandated by the Federal Government.
The Governor emphasized that the timely distribution of resources is crucial for farmers to begin their preparations for the dry-season wheat farming season.
He reaffirmed the state government’s unwavering commitment to supporting registered farmers and ensuring that they have access to the necessary resources for successful farming, free from exploitation.