In response to the escalating attacks on farmers in Northern Nigeria, governors of the region have launched a multi-faceted approach to enhance security and prevent further incidents during the harvest season. This initiative includes the deployment of specialised security personnel, such as Agro Rangers, and strengthened patrols in farming communities. The goal is to protect farmers and their produce, while also addressing the root causes of the conflicts.
The measures being implemented vary from state to state, but all aim to provide a safer environment for farmers. In Gombe State, the government has reactivated the Farmers-Herders Prevention and Settlement of Disputes Committee, which will work to resolve disputes between farmers and herders through dialogue and mediation. Additionally, the state has banned night grazing and warned herders against entering cultivated farms. Farmers have also been cautioned against encroaching on cattle routes and designated grazing reserves.
Gombe State's efforts to enhance security around farming communities come in response to recent attacks in Akko and other parts of the state. Between late 2025 and January 2026, several communities in Akko Local Government Area were attacked, resulting in fatalities, abductions, and displacement of residents. To prevent such incidents, the state has strengthened its security architecture, including the deployment of Agro Rangers and Operation Hattara.
Other states in the region are also taking proactive steps to protect farmers. In Benue State, the police command has deployed additional personnel to volatile communities and intensified engagement with farmers and other stakeholders. The police have also collaborated with Operation Hattara, joint patrol teams, hunters, and vigilantes to enhance security. Furthermore, intelligence-led operations have been intensified to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attacks.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has also played a significant role in enhancing security in farming communities. In June, the NSCDC inaugurated an Agro Rangers operational base at Kanawa Forest Reserve in Yamaltu/Deba, which has residential facilities, solar power, and a motorised borehole. The facility was supported by the state government and ACReSAL.
The police have also been working closely with community leaders to prevent attacks on farmers. In July, Police Commissioner Umar Chuso convened stakeholders from the state's 11 Local Government Areas, stressing the importance of community-level intervention in resolving farmer-herder conflicts. The commissioner emphasised that each locality has unique challenges, and therefore, a one-size-fits-all approach will not be effective.
Despite these efforts, some farmers remain apprehensive about returning to their farms, citing concerns over their safety. The attacks, abductions, crop destruction, and clashes over access to farmland and grazing routes have created a sense of uncertainty among farmers. However, with the continued efforts of the government and security agencies, it is hoped that the situation will improve, and farmers will be able to work without fear of attack.
Key points
- The northern governors have deployed specialised security personnel, such as Agro Rangers, to protect farmers and prevent attacks during the harvest season.
- Gombe State has banned night grazing and warned herders against entering cultivated farms to prevent conflicts.
- The police have collaborated with Operation Hattara, joint patrol teams, hunters, and vigilantes to enhance security in farming communities.
