Alhaji Mohammed Numbu, Chairman of the Kaduna Chapter of the association, expressed concerns on behalf of farmers regarding the security challenges in the state.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, the RIFAN boss said the security situation had forced their members to stay home for fear of being attacked by bandits.
He also disclosed that one of their members was recently abducted by bandits, noting that “up till now, his whereabouts are unknown.”
He said, “In fact, it’s unfortunate that the security challenges in the state are becoming more alarming by the day. We had prayed to God that insecurity would fizzle out, but it has resurged in full force.
“It has instilled fear in farmers to the extent that they can no longer venture into their farms. Most of our members, about 72,000 in number, cannot go to the farm now. Some of us cannot sleep with both eyes closed because these bandits are on the prowl.
“They just go to villages and pick people at will now. Nobody knows who’s next after the bandits attack a particular village.
“One of our members was kidnapped around 1 pm yesterday in Kaura, and we are yet to hear about him.”
Consequently, the RIFAN boss appealed to President Bola Tinubu to do everything humanly possible to salvage the insecurity situation not only in the state but across the country.
According to him, the state governors alone cannot handle the security challenges bedeviling their respective states.
He said, “We are calling on the Nigerian government, under the leadership of His Excellency President Bola Tinubu, to come to our rescue. In fact, the situation is beyond the control of the state government. The state governors are doing their best, but the situation is beyond their control.
“We, as farmers, are appealing to the government to come to our aid. There is hunger in this country whether we like it or not. Palliatives alone cannot solve the problem of this country.”
