Armed groups in Kano and Katsina states are allegedly extorting farmers, demanding up to ₦50,000 per acre of land from sugarcane growers before harvest.
According to report, those groups have established presence in Rugu Forest in Katsina State and Falgore Forest in Kano State, imposing illegal farm levies and threatening farmers who fail to comply.
Farmers who refused to pay face intimidation, crop destruction, and violent attacks, forcing many to abandon their farmlands.
The affected areas are crucial for sugarcane and maize production, supplying markets like Dawanau Market in Kano.Experts have, therefore, warned that continued disruption could lead to food shortage and price increase across northern Nigeria.
Despite security checkpoints, armed groups still operate nearby, raising concerns about security effectiveness.
Residents describe the situation as gradual takeover, with armed actors controlling daily economic activities. Concerned citizens are calling for urgent State and federal government intervention to arrest the situation and dismantle those parallel structures to avert food-security crisis.
