Afenifere Raises the Alarm Over Escalation of Attacks On Farmers in South-west

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organization Afenifere has voiced strong concern over the continuous attacks and kidnappings of farmers and other citizens in Nigeria's Southwest region. Afenifere stated that many farmers are now abandoning their farms out of fear of abduction, ransom demands, and violent assaults. This widespread insecurity is significantly disrupting agricultural activities and threatening livelihoods.

Specific incidents highlighted by Afenifere include the killing of a female farmer in Ondo State, the abduction of a 33-year-old poultry farmer, Mr. Ooreoluwa Osonuga, in Ikenne, Ogun State, the killing of four farmers in the Okeogun area of Oyo State, and the kidnapping of Hon. Debo Farounbi in Ora, Osun State. Farounbi was reportedly kidnapped on June 9, 2026, and despite a N30 million ransom payment, his abductors are allegedly demanding more money and motorcycles for his release.

“

One is fear of being kidnapped, second is the serious fall in prices that farmers could sell their proceeds as middlemen/middle-women (known as ‘Onibaranda’) are standing between them and direct purchasers while the third reason is grazing on farmlands by unscrupulous herders that have not stopped despite several lamentations, warnings and steps taken.

The organization noted that the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) previously disclosed that persistent abductions across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo states have discouraged investment, reduced agricultural productivity, and endangered thousands of farming families. Afenifere's spokesman, Jare Ajayi, cited three main reasons for farmers abandoning their land: fear of kidnapping, a significant drop in crop prices due to middlemen, and the ongoing issue of herders grazing on farmlands.

A prominent farmer in Ondo State, Dr. Eddy Olafeso, lamented abandoning his 10-hectare farm due to insecurity. Mallam Shitu Kabir, President of the Cowpea and Beans Farmers Association of Nigeria, reported a nearly 70 percent drop in production for these commodities in the North. Afenifere warned that these reports paint a grim picture of agricultural practices and risk future hunger if insecurity is not addressed. The group, however, commended President Bola Tinubu's recent directive to formulate a comprehensive National Threat Assessment and a five-year Strategic Defence Operations Plan within 90 days to enhance coordination among Nigeria's defense, intelligence, and security capabilities.

“

because of insecurity