Food security: NSCDC organises stakeholders enlightenment in Zamfara

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Zamfara State Command, has organised an enlightenment meeting aimed at boosting food security through the activities of its Agro Rangers unit and Agro Alliance Business with key stakeholders.

Speaking during the meeting on Wednesday in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, the State Commandant of the NSCDC, Sani Mustafa, disclosed that the meeting brought together significant figures in the agricultural sector within the state.

“As you know, the Agro Rangers Unit was established in 2016 by the Management of the Corps to provide a lasting solution to the Farmers and Herders Conflict,” Mustafa stated.

He added that the Federal Government has recently deployed ten thousand (10,000) Agro Rangers to combat farm insecurity, with the responsibilities of safeguarding farmlands, protecting farmers from attacks, mediating farmers-herders conflicts, and providing physical security to all Agro Alliance businesses nationwide.

“Therefore, the NSCDC in Zamfara State Command is soliciting the cooperation, synergy, and collaboration of stakeholders in achieving our mandate. Everyone is aware of the challenges this country faces, particularly in Zamfara State, regarding banditry and the broader issue of food insecurity.”

Mustafa further highlighted the direct correlation between banditry and food insecurity, noting that “a hungry person can easily be influenced by criminal elements to join their ranks through persuasion, especially when they cannot provide food for themselves or their families.”

“However, at this juncture, I must commend and appreciate our esteemed Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, OFR, mni, PhD, for his exemplary leadership in repositioning the Corps in the right direction.”

“I firmly believe that with the total support of stakeholders in the agriculture and rural development sectors, the issues of farm insecurity, high food costs, and conflicts between farmers and herders will be significantly reduced. I wish each of you a safe return to your respective destinations.”

In their separate remarks, the Emir of Gusau, represented by Sambo A. Sambo, Secretary of Gusau Emirate, the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in Zamfara State, the representative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Garba Mohammed, the Chairman of the Nigerian All Farmers Association in Zamfara State, Alhaji Sanusi Mohammed, and the Chairman of the Zamfara State Agro Alliance Business, expressed their appreciation for the efforts of the NSCDC in the fight against insecurity in the state.

“We desire peace. We appreciate the NSCDC’s initiative in establishing the Agro Rangers, but ten thousand corps members are insufficient, even for Zamfara State, let alone the entire nation. There is a need for more personnel in the Agro Rangers units,” they advised.

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