Alaafin Urges FG to End Insecurity, Warns of Threat to Food Security

 

By Abdulahi Musa 

The Alaafin of Oyo has called on the Federal Government to urgently address the worsening insecurity across the country, warning that persistent violence and instability remain major threats to Nigeria’s food security goals.

The traditional ruler made the appeal while speaking on the growing challenges faced by farmers, especially in rural communities where insecurity has disrupted agricultural activities and forced many to abandon their farmlands.

He noted that despite government efforts to boost agricultural production and reduce dependence on food imports, the inability of farmers to safely access and cultivate their lands continues to undermine national food security objectives.

The Alaafin stressed that without lasting peace in farming communities, investments in agriculture would not yield the expected results, as insecurity discourages both smallholder farmers and large-scale agricultural investors.

He further urged the Federal Government to strengthen security operations in vulnerable areas, improve intelligence gathering, and ensure that displaced farmers are safely returned to their communities.

According to him, achieving food security is directly tied to national security, as no meaningful agricultural development can take place in an environment plagued by fear, attacks, and displacement.

The monarch also called for stronger collaboration between government agencies, traditional institutions, and local communities in addressing insecurity at the grassroots level.

He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting initiatives that promote peace and agricultural development, stressing that Nigeria’s food sustainability depends on the collective effort of all stakeholders.