ALL Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) Lagos Chairman, Otunba Femi Oke has said the measures taken by the Lagos State government has improve safety and security of farmers and their farms, protecting them from the nefarious activities of kidnappers.
Oke noted that though kidnappings might never stop, the security measures put in place by Governor Akinwumi Ambode is highly commendable, adding that most of the farmers that heve abandoned their farms valued at N20 billion are now relieved that their interest is being taken care of.
They lamented that frequent payments of ransom to kidnappers to rescue people abducted while working on their farms had also made the idea of using agriculture as a major anchor to diversify the nation’s economy a futile exercise. Expanse of arable land in Epe areas, especially around Egansoyindo through Ketu and Igbodu in Lagos is good for agriculture and has attracted many farmers to the zone.
Oke said a lot of people are afraid to go to the farms to work for fear of being kidnapped.
The trend was worrisome because, while the criminals are amassing money paid to them through ransom, huge investments made by the farmers are going down the drain.
In 2016, suspected kidnappers, who are militants, abducted 13 farmers in Lagos.
http://thenationonlineng.net/lagos-security-measures-rekindle-farmers-hope/