Crime
Reign of terror: 165 farmers killed, farms deserted as bandits demand N3bn
Out of the 165 farmers killed this year, the highest number was recorded in Benue State, where 130 of them were killed by the bandits.
The Association of Nigerian Farmers in the state told The PUNCH on Tuesday that 130 farmers were killed by bandits in four local government areas of the state this month (March). Also, in Sokoto State, 28 farmers have been killed since the beginning of the year, while six farmers lost their lives in Niger State during bandits attacks. One farmer was murdered by bandits in Plateau State.
In Sokoto State, the association lamented that not less than N3bn had been paid by its members as ransoms to bandits, who kidnapped them from their farms.
There has been an upsurge in banditry recently with over 295 victims being held hostage by kidnappers in Sokoto, Kaduna, and Borno states.
Lamenting the implications on farming The Benue State Chairman of the AFAN, Aondongu Saaku, told The PUNCH that six farmers were kidnapped in the state in the last two weeks.
According to him, farmers lost over N1.1bn to bandits’ attacks in the last few months in Benue State.
Saaku said, “The figure I will give you is for March alone so you can know the gravity of what farmers in the state are passing through.
“Six farmers were kidnapped in their farms. No fewer than 130 farmers were also killed in Kwande, Ukum, Agatu, and Apa LGAs.”
Asked to quantify what his members might have lost, the Benue State AFAN chairman replied, “It’s difficult to quantify because how do we quantify those farm crops that were harvested and burnt by the bandits?
“It’s huge. We will be talking about something around N1.1bn, because many farmers lost the whole farm, some over 100 bags of rice, several thousands of tuber of yams and the seeds, cassava chips, corn and a host of others.”
Saaku stated that going to the farm now was between life and death, “because in as much as one doesn’t have another source of income, you have to risk it and go to the farm. If you are caught and killed, that is your fate; and if you go and come back alive, it’s your luck.”
He, however, called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security, warning that Nigerians were at risk of heavy famine shortly if nothing is done to arrest the insecurity plaguing the country.
Farmers in Borno State noted that the production of sorghum and other crops had fallen by 90 per cent in the state.
Eight Delta farmers
On their part, farmers in Delta State stated on Tuesday that about eight of them were kidnapped last week and paid between N1m and N5m each as ransoms.
Farmers in Ika North-East and Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State said they could not access their farms following the incessant kidnapping in the state.
A farmer, Mr Okwudili Uti, in the Ute-Okpu community, said, “My brother we passing through hell now, as I speak we cannot go to farm again. The kidnappers have been kidnapping our people.
“In Ute-Okpu, Ute-Erumu, Abavo and communities around the Ika North-East, recently when the kidnapping started, we usually go to farms in groups. But last week, about eight farmers were kidnapped, and some paid ransoms of between N1m and N5m.
“Our farm produce have all gone bad in the farms because we cannot go to the farm even in groups, due to the fear of being kidnapped.”
The Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Delta State, Mr Rechard Asemina, said virtually all the farmers in the state could not access their farms.
“Currently, not only farmers in Ika North-East and Aniocha South but also those in Ugheli, Abraja, and other places cannot access their farms. We don’t know what to do now. We are appealing to the government to come to our aid because we are in trouble in Delta State.
“Even those who summon courage and manage to get to their farms, find out that your farm produce has been damaged by cows.’’
Sokoto loses over N3bn
Also, the Chairman of AFAN in Sokoto State, Jamilu Sanusi, said members lost over N3bn to ransom payments to bandits in the state.
He also explained that over 80 per cent of people in the internally displaced persons camps in Sokoto were farmers.
Sanusi stated, “We are the major people who suffer most when we talk of these bandits’ activities in the state. Over 80 per cent of those people you see at the various IDP camps are farmers who are all displaced by the activities of the so-called bandits.
“If I have to give you a rough estimate of how much money we have paid to these people in the past two years, it should be more than N3bn.
“This is apart from what we are losing on each farming season as a result of our people who have to abandon their farms and relocate to IDP camps for fear of being attacked.
“Not less than 10,000 hectares of land could not be cultivated for over three years now, in which in each farming season, a farmer can make up to N1m or more. About 28 farmers have been killed this year. “
Sanusi called on the state government to sustain the tempo of the state security outfit, Sokoto Community Guard Corps, stressing that with their presence in the remote areas, security might improve when compared to what obtained in the past.
In Plateau State, farmers stated that they were constantly under threat of being kidnapped by bandits.
The state Chairman, AFAN, Sako Danboyi, said he was in a meeting when contacted over the issue, but a farmer in Bokkos LGA, Stephen Garuba, confirmed the development.
Garuba said, “I cannot tell you how many of our members have been kidnapped, but honestly, farmers in Bokkos are having a lot of challenges, especially in the area of security.
“We are finding it difficult to go to our farms. In some communities like Yelwa Nunu, the residents who are mainly farmers are yet to return to the community after they were initially chased away by bandits. Even we that are in Bokkos town are not safe either. Some weeks ago, a man was shot dead and his wife was kicked by some hoodlums who attacked his house.
“So, you can understand what we are facing. We are aware of the efforts of the state government to protect farmers and ensure that they go to the farm, but more should be done to achieve the objective.”
The Chairman of AFAN in Jos North LGA, Umar Fodio, expressed hope that with the renewed support to farmers in the state by the state government, farmers would heave a sigh of relief in the coming rainy season.
Farmers in Niger State now avoid their farms in some local governments notorious for bandits attacks.
The farmers adopted this practice as the last option after the bandits operating in those troubled areas persistently attacked and abducted farmers who dared to defy them.
The bandits had also reportedly set farm produce worth millions of naira ablaze and demanded that the farmers must pay levies before they would be allowed to harvest their crops.
Some of these Local Governments include Munya, Shiroro, Meriga, Paikoro, Rafi Mashegu, Wushishi and Borgu. There are 25 local government areas in the state.
In February, this year the bandits reportedly killed six farmers and abducted over 20 women.
In another incident in February, security operatives were said to have rescued 16 farmers kidnapped at Dan-Gunu Community of Munya Local Government Area of Niger State.
The bandits reportedly stormed the community and kidnapped the victims, including pregnant women and children.
Munya LGA Chairman, Abdulhamid Najume, confirmed the attack and explained how the victims were rescued when he said, “We had an emergency security meeting after which we mobilised security operatives and dispersed them to go after the bandits.
“Luckily, they were able to rescue all the kidnapped victims. Currently, they are receiving medical care at a hospital after which they will be reunited with their families.”
A leader of the Rice Farmers Association in Minna, the state capital, Abdullah Imam, said farmers avoid anything to do with those Local Governments known for attacks by bandits.
“No farmer wants to lose his life or even his farm produce. Everyone is avoiding those places. Even farmers whose ancestral homes and farmlands used to be those places have given them up. It is better to lose farmlands than lose one’s life.
“The government and the military must do something to address the problem. These bandits are still there and imagine the vast land in those places. Now farmers don’t want to go near those places because of bandits. This will surely have an impact on the harvest of the coming year because if farmers do not farm on those lands the harvest will not be much,” Imam said.
This came as farmers in Ondo State, under the auspices of the Cocoa and Plantain Farmers Association of Nigeria, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to find urgent solutions to the incessant bandit attacks on farmers and their produce.
The group lamented the countless number of farmers who lost their lives, while many had been kidnapped on the farms.
Speaking in Akure, Ondo State capital, the National President of the Cocoa and Plantain Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mr Ayodele Ojo, decried the incessant killing of farmers and destruction of their farmlands.
He said, ”We don’t know what is happening. The insecurity in the land is getting out of hand. We want Mr. President to look into it as a matter of urgency. Farmers cannot access their farms to harvest their farm produce even though the produce is due for harvest.
“Bandits have harvested some of the farm products, they kidnap our members (farmers) while we also pay ransom for their freedom.
“Some of the hoodlums are now in control of the farms of some of our members, and we are in a very difficult situation now because we are not allowed to visit our farms again. Many of us have not been to the farms for weeks now because of the fear of being kidnapped.”
Farming declines in Nasarawa
Farmers in Nasarawa State also lamented that the issue of banditry and kidnapping in the state had stopped many of them from going to their farms.
Farmers who were victims of recent attacks in Keana and Nasarawa Eggon local government areas of the state expressed deep concern over the persistent attacks on their communities by yet-to-be-identified gunmen.
They, therefore, called on the security agencies to as a matter of urgency, provide adequate security to communities prone to attacks across the state.
One of the farmers in the Keana LGA, Musa Yamusa, stated that quite several farmers in the area had deserted their homes and completely stopped going to farms as a result of the insecurity in the area.
“What we are passing through in our farms is not easy to describe. The situation is quite pathetic. Before now, we did go to our farms daily but since the insecurity increased in the state, we have not been frequent at our farmlands because we are scared of being attacked by gunmen.
“We need assistance from both the federal and state governments to address the security challenges. They should assist us in this predicament because most of us rely solely on farming. If we do not go to our farms, we will not be able to eat or take care of our families,” he stated.
Another farmer in the Lizzin-Keffi area of Nasarawa Eggon LGA, Alaku Ibrahim, said the activities of bandits in the area had made many farmers lose their valuables, adding that they were most times attacked by the bandits while going to their farms.
Speaking on the security situation in the state, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdullahi Sule on Public Affairs, Peter Ahemba, said the state government was already collaborating with security agencies to provide adequate security for all residents of the state.
He said, “Insecurity is a thing of concern in almost every state of the federation at the moment. But as a responsible government, we will continue to do everything within our power to collaborate with the security agencies to ensure that all residents of Nasarawa State do not go through any kind of challenge in accessing their farmlands or going about their daily activities.
“Governor Abdullahi Sule is fully ready to serve the people of the state, and I can assure you that the security of everyone in Nasarawa State is a top priority to him.”
In Borno State, though no one could put a figure on the number of farmers killed in the state, it should be noted that in the 2023 farming season, no fewer than 100 farmers were reportedly butchered.
At least 30 of them were slaughtered by the terrorists as they were clearing the fields for the cultivation of crops, as this happened across the local government areas of Jere, Mafa, and Konduga, which surround the Maiduguri metropolis.
The state Chairman of the Sorghum Farmers and Marketers Association of Nigeria, Goni Alhaji Adam, said production of Sorghum in the state had fallen by 90 per cent
“While I can only say hundreds, reported and unreported, have been killed by Boko Haram across the state over the last few years, terror activities have drastically reduced sorghum and related crops production to between 80 percent and 90 percent,” he stated.
The Secretary, AFAN, Ogun State, Mr Abiodun Ogunjinmi, said farmers in the state were currently contending with the problem of indiscriminate grazing by some ruthless herders, stressing that this posed a threat to food security.
Although he noted that the state had not recorded abductions or killing of farmers lately, some herders had through their indiscriminate grazing continued to destroy farmers’ investment in the state.
Kaduna rice farmer
In Kaduna, farmers under the aegis of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, have also lamented over the security challenges in the state.
They said they could no longer access their farms due to insecurity in the state.
Speaking to The PUNCH, Chairman of the Kaduna Chapter of the Association, Alhaji Mohammed Umar Numbu, the security situation had forced their members to stay home for fear of being attacked by bandits.
He stated, “It has instilled fears in farmers such that they can no longer venture into their farms. Most of our members who are about 72,000 cannot go to farms now.’’
The abductors, who attacked schools in Esinele, Yawota and Alawusa communities on May 15, are said to be demanding the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related law.
The two commanders whose release is reportedly being sought are Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, alias Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri, also called Mallam Mamuda.
The duo are leaders of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan, JAMBS, also known as Ansaru — a breakaway faction of Boko Haram — and are alleged to have aided and abetted acts of terrorism in the country between 2013 and 2015.
They are also linked to the 2022 Kuje prison break.
They were arrested between May and July 2025 and are currently standing trial on terrorism charges before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/464/2025, with their trial commencing on January 15, 2026.
Usman was sentenced to 15 years in prison by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on September 11, 2025, after pleading guilty to one count of illegal mining — which he admitted he used to fund arms procurement for terrorism and kidnapping.
He denied 31 other counts and remains in DSS custody pending trial on those charges.
Other reports indicate the ransom demand stands at ₦1bn, to be paid into a bank account in the Republic of Benin. PUNCH Online could not independently verify this figure.
Security analysts have warned that releasing the commanders would pose serious risks to national security.
A retired Brigadier-General, Bashir Adewinbi, speaking with Saturday PUNCH said the situation had put the government in a tight corner, warning that paying ransom or releasing terrorist commanders would embolden criminal groups and fund further attacks.
Another retired Brigadier-General, Peter Aro, urged the government to first establish proof that the abductees were still alive before taking any decision, noting that prolonged captivity posed serious risks, particularly for young children.
The Oyo State Government has declined to comment on the demands or the state of negotiations, with the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, saying it would be “unhelpful” to disclose the government’s strategy while efforts to secure the victims’ release were ongoing.
On May 17, two days after the attack, the abductors released a video showing the beheading of one of the kidnapped teachers, Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher at Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele.
Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed the killing in a statement on Monday, May 18, describing it as deeply painful.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
A total of eight suspected fake Pastors were on Friday arraigned before the Awka High Court in Anambra state.
Recall that Governor Charles Soludo had at a church service in Awka announced that some suspected fake Pastors are already under the custody of the state government for activities that are unbecoming of their roles as servants in God’s Vineyard.
Recall also that at the peak of the clampdown on fake Native Doctors, the affected Native Doctors protested that the Anambra state government has been neck deep in selective justice contending that the fake Pastors obtain their powers from Native Doctors.
They queried why their colleagues are being arrested while their clients who are Pastors are left to walk the streets freely.
It was against this backdrop that the Anambra state government beamed it’s searchlight on the activities of some Pastors which led to the arraignment of eight suspected fake Pastors.
It was gathered that the alleged fake pastors violated the 2025 Homeland Security law established by the administration of Prof Charles Soludo.
The Senior Special Assistant to Soludo on New Media Sir Ejimofor Opara who confirmed the development said the Homeland security law was passed in February 2025 and it frowns at certain forms of religious practices that are deemed inimical to the public, especially as it pertains to creation of illegal wealth.
Last year, some native doctors who were promoting get-rich-quick practices (Okeite rituals) were also arrested and prosecuted accordingly with some of them serving jail terms while othere are currently undergoing trial.ls.
The names of those arraigned before the High Court include; Peter Chukwu, Chinedu Egwuonwu, Bishop Emeka Nwankpa, Ebele Nnachukwu and Ekeleme Chris Ugochukwu.
Others are Ndubisi Nnachukwu,
Miracle Iruoma and Chukwukadibia Ogwuama.
The State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, is leading the prosecution.
The Muslim community in Oyo State has condemned the Sharia-related demands reportedly made by terrorists holding teachers and pupils abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area, declaring that the criminals do not represent Islam or Muslims.
The position came as public and private schools across Oyo State’s 33 local government areas shut down in solidarity with the abducted victims.
Also, security analysts in separate interviews, offered differing views on how the Federal Government could respond to the terrorists’ demands.
The abductors, who attacked three schools in Esinele, Yawota and Alawusa communities on May 15, reportedly demanded the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related law before freeing the captives.
In a statement issued on Friday and jointly signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Ishaq Sanvni, and Secretary-General, Alhaji Murisiku Siyanbade, the Muslim community in Oyo State described the terrorists’ action as criminal and contrary to Islamic teachings.
The group said attempts by the abductors to justify their actions through religious rhetoric amounted to a distortion of Islam.
“Islam forbids kidnapping, terrorism and the extortion of innocent citizens. Legitimate Sharia promotes justice, peace and the sanctity of human life, values that stand in direct opposition to the activities of criminal groups,” the statement said.
The organisation added that terrorists could not claim to speak on behalf of Muslims.
“Terrorists do not represent Islamic values and cannot speak for Muslims,” it stated.
Quoting Chapter 5 Verse 32 of the Holy Qur’an, the community stressed that Islam places a high premium on the protection of human life and urged security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue those in captivity.
The development came amid growing concerns over the fate of the abducted teachers and pupils.
A traditional ruler in one of the affected communities, the Eleshi of Esiele, Oba Tajudeen Abioye, appealed to the government to secure the release of the victims.
“We are aware of the ransom demands of the terrorists, but we are helpless. We are looking up to the government and pleading for intervention,” he said.
Schools shut in 33LGAs
Findings by revealed that the management of private schools issued a statement on Wednesday directing all schools to shut down from Friday, June 5.
One of the internal memos obtained by our correspondent in Ibadan, the state capital, on Wednesday read, “Due to the situation at hand and the ongoing protest in the state, all pupils and students should stay at home until further notice. No school for now until further notice.”
Also, a message circulated to private schools by the Ibadan District Chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Joshua Olaoluwa, and obtained by Saturday PUNCH, read, “Good day, all school owners/administrators. Due to the recent kidnapping of teachers and students in Oriire LGA and rising security concerns, all NAPPS member schools in Ibadan District will be closed on Friday, June 5, 2026, as a mark of solidarity and for prayers for the victims’ safe release and the protection of all schools.
“If anyone tries to disrupt school activities before or after Friday, please record a video if it is safe to do so, report to the nearest police station, and inform your NAPPS LGA coordinator and the district office immediately.”
The state Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Fatai Hassan, had earlier disclosed that all public secondary and primary schools would remain closed until the abductees are rescued alive.
Speaking in Ibadan, the chairman of the Parents-Teachers Association of one of the affected schools, who requested anonymity, said, “We had already held a meeting over the closure of the school. You know this is more or less a remote area. It is not that remote, but we cannot compare schools in this environment with those around the Agbowo-UI, Bodija, Sango or Mokola axis.
“But we had to consider those students writing their terminal examinations. Otherwise, we would have joined the public protest since Monday. We eventually shut down the school on Wednesday,” the source said.
It was gathered that the bandits entered the community at about 1am, shooting sporadically to scare residents. They reportedly destroyed two houses before picking up the victim and whisking him away to an unknown destination. The boy, identified as Oluwatobi, is said to be the son of a pastor in the community, Isaac Olaosebikan.
A source said that, on hearing the sporadic gunshots, residents of the community fled their homes and ran to neighbouring communities for safety.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi, who confirmed the incident in a WhatsApp message, said efforts were ongoing to rescue the victim and apprehend the perpetrators.
He said, “The Ondo State Police Command has commenced an intensive manhunt for suspected kidnappers who abducted a nine-year-old boy during a violent attack on residents of Ugbosi Quarters, Idogun, in Ose Local Government Area of the state.
“The incident was reported in the early hours of Friday, 5th June 2026, at about 2:30 a.m. by Mr. Olaosebikan Isaac and Mr. Joel Owalekan, both residents of Ugbosi Quarters, Idogun. According to their reports, at approximately 1:30 a.m. on the same day, a group of armed men invaded the community, firing gunshots sporadically and causing panic among residents.
He added that personnel of the command and the Amotekun Corps had been mobilised to the scene and had launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation.
“Security operatives combed the surrounding forests and likely escape routes in a bid to rescue the abducted child and apprehend the perpetrators,” the PPRO stated.
Jimoh also noted that investigations had commenced while relevant exhibits had been recovered and documented to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack and track down those responsible.
“The State Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Felix Ohagwu, has directed all tactical teams, intelligence units and other relevant security assets to intensify efforts toward the immediate rescue of the victim unhurt and the arrest of the perpetrators.
“The Command is also working closely with other security agencies and local vigilante groups to ensure that the criminals are brought to justice.”
Ogunleye was arraigned on Wednesday alongside three other suspects before a Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
The Ekiti State Police Command said the suspects were brought before the court after the conclusion of investigations into the matter.
The prosecutor, Akinwale Oriyimi, informed the court that the case file had been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.
Oriyimi subsequently requested the court to remand the defendants pending further directives from the DPP.
Ruling on the application, the Chief Magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, ordered that Ogunleye and the other defendants be remanded at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
Kano Times recalls that Ogunleye was declared missing on May 20 after her vehicle was reportedly found abandoned along the Ipere–Iludun Ekiti Road.
Reports at the time indicated that she was allegedly abducted by suspected gunmen shortly after leaving the local government secretariat.
She was later found unharmed during a joint operation involving security agencies.
However, police investigations later alleged that the kidnapping was staged in a bid to raise money to offset financial obligations and outstanding political commitments.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Pius Dada, condemned the alleged act.
Dada described the incident as embarrassing and unacceptable, warning that such actions could undermine public confidence in government officials and security agencies.
He further stated that no public office holder would be protected from prosecution if found culpable of any wrongdoing.
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