As Nigeria gears up for the 2026 farming season, the Defence Headquarters has vowed to strengthen security in vulnerable agricultural communities following deadly attacks on farmers in 2025.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Michael Onoja, confirmed that the military would intensify patrols in high-risk areas to ensure farmers can work safely.

“We understand the consequences of disrupting the agricultural season. Our forces are committed to preventing food insecurity by safeguarding farmers’ activities,” Onoja said.

Supporting these efforts, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed over 11,000 specially trained Agro-Rangers nationwide.

Spokesman Afolabi Babawale highlighted the corps’ collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to protect farms, settle disputes between farmers and herders, and curb cattle rustling.

“Our priority is the security of farmers. Proactive intelligence and public cooperation are crucial in preventing attacks,” he stated.

The move follows a series of violent incidents in 2025 that disrupted farming across several states.

Attacks linked to Boko Haram and ISWAP left dozens of farmers dead near Lake Chad, while kidnappings occurred in Kogi, Plateau, Benue, Kwara, Borno, and Niger states during harvest periods.

Civil society groups, including the Youths Against Disaster Initiative, are calling for long-term reforms, advocating for ranching and improved land management to prevent farmer-herder conflicts and ensure sustainable agricultural security.

Reports indicate that over 3,000 people were killed in farmer-herder clashes between 2018 and 2023, with hundreds of thousands displaced.

Despite these challenges, the military and NSCDC remain committed to protecting farmers during the upcoming planting season.

By combining enhanced patrols, specialized Agro-Ranger deployments, and community intelligence efforts, authorities aim to prevent a repeat of past tragedies and strengthen Nigeria’s food security.