Introduction
Terrorism is often described as the use of violence by groups or individuals to pursue political, religious, economic, or social objectives. Attacks are frequently indiscriminate, targeting civilians and non-combatants, and often aim to inflict mass casualties or destabilize governments. Nigeria’s Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011 (as amended in 2013) defines terrorism broadly, including violent acts such as kidnapping, arson, property destruction, and threats to national peace and stability.
In Nigeria, terrorism and violent attacks remain one of the greatest threats to peace, development, and food security. While much attention is focused on the North-East—especially states like Borno and Yobe—rural communities in the North-Central region are also deeply affected. Among these is Oganenigu, a farming settlement in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Oganenigu is known for its fertile farmlands and production of yam, cassava, maize, beans, pigeon (cajanus cajan), among others. Oganenigu has long supported households locally while also supplying food to bigger towns such as Anyigba, Lokoja and even cities like Abuja. However, in recent years, violent attacks has left homes destroyed, farm vandalised and farmers displaced.
This article explores the impact of terrorism on Oganenigu, focusing on displacement, destruction of farmlands, reduced productivity, food insecurity, educational challenges, and the wider economic consequences for Kogi State.
1. Displacement of Farmers in Oganenigu
One of the most visible impacts of terrorism in Oganenigu is the displacement of farmers and their families. Repeated attacks have forced hundreds of residents to flee their ancestral homes, many of them now living as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in nearby towns. These families often depend on relatives, temporary shelters, or the goodwill of Samaritans for survival.
Displacement also means that farmlands are abandoned. For a community built around farming traditions passed down for generations, this is not just an economic loss but also a disruption of cultural and social life.
2. Destruction of Farmlands and Crops
Terrorist raids in rural communities are often accompanied by widespread destruction. In Oganenigu, farms and crops have been destroyed, barns looted, and houses burnt. In some cases, farmers have even been attacked or killed while working in their fields.
This destruction has a multiplier effect: farmers not only lose their harvests but also the seeds and resources needed for the next planting season. As a result, many families become dependent on relief materials, which are often delayed or insufficient.
3. Decline in Agricultural Productivity
Before the wave of insecurity, Oganenigu was one of the most productive farming settlements in Kogi East. Its farmlands supplied food to major local and regional markets. Today, productivity has sharply declined.
Fear of renewed attacks prevents farmers from returning to their lands. Yields of staple crops like yam, cassava, maize, and sesame have dropped significantly. Women—who play a key role in cassava processing and marketing—are among the hardest hit, as their livelihoods depend on steady farm output.
4. Food Insecurity and Rising Prices
The reduced productivity in Oganenigu has ripple effects beyond the community. With less food reaching local markets, scarcity drives up prices in towns such as Anyigba, Lokoja, and even Abuja.
As food prices rise, poor households spend a larger share of their income on basic staples, often sacrificing diet quality and nutrition. Communities that once served as breadbaskets of the region now struggle with hunger and malnutrition.
5. Impact on Education and Youth
The crisis in Oganenigu affects more than farming—it disrupts education and the future of young people. Schools in the community and neighboring villages have been shut down or weakened due to insecurity. Parents are reluctant to let children travel long distances to school for fear of attacks.
Displacement also forces many children out of school, as IDP families often lack the resources to re-enroll them elsewhere. Some youth, unable to continue education, migrate to urban centers for menial jobs or fall prey to exploitation and recruitment by criminal groups.
This disruption deepens the cycle of poverty and threatens the long-term development of Oganenigu and similar rural communities.
6. Wider Economic Impact on Kogi State
Agriculture remains the backbone of Kogi State’s economy, employing most of its rural population. Communities like Oganenigu contribute significantly to food supply not only within the state but across Nigeria.
Terrorism’s impact therefore extends beyond one community:
• Reduced farm output weakens food availability and security.
• Investment in agriculture declines as insecurity makes farming risky.
• Government resources are diverted from agricultural development to relief and security operations.
This triple impact—on production, investment, and policy—weakens Kogi’s ability to build sustainable agricultural systems.
Recommendations
1. Strengthen Security
• Deploy more security forces to vulnerable farming communities.
• Establish community policing and early-warning systems to detect and prevent attacks.
2. Support Displaced Farmers
• Provide seeds, fertilizers, and farming tools to help them restart agricultural activities.
3. Rebuild Education
• Reopen and rebuild schools in affected areas.
• Ensure displaced children can enroll in nearby schools.
• Provide scholarships or incentives to encourage youth to remain in education.
4. Empower Youth and Women
• Create agribusiness training and opportunities for young people.
• Expand women’s access to land, credit, and markets, recognizing their vital role in agriculture.
5. Strengthen Agricultural Investment
• Invest in storage, processing, and irrigation infrastructure to reduce future losses.
• Encourage public-private partnerships to restore confidence and attract investment in rural agriculture.
Conclusion
The case of Oganenigu shows how terrorism goes beyond physical violence to undermine farming, education, and economic growth in Nigeria’s rural communities. What is at stake is not just the safety of one community but the food security and stability of Kogi State and Nigeria as a whole.
Protecting Oganenigu’s farmers means safeguarding food systems and strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural resilience. Without peace in rural communities, there can be no sustainable food security or long-term development.
Comments
Post a Comment