Idah, Kogi State – Fear and insecurity have gripped farming communities in Idah, Odolu, and Oforachi in Kogi State, as rampant kidnappings have forced many farmers to abandon their lands, threatening food security and increasing unemployment in the region.
Residents report that kidnappers now operate freely on farmlands and along the Idah-Odolu road, targeting farmers who venture out to cultivate or harvest their crops. The worsening situation has left many people afraid to step out, leading to widespread concerns over hunger, economic hardship, and declining agricultural productivity.
Farmers Now Targets for Kidnappers
A resident, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, recounted a recent incident where a young man was kidnapped while harvesting cassava on his family farm last week. His family was forced to pay a ransom of N2 million to secure his release.
According to the source, several kidnappings have occurred in 2025 alone, particularly on the Idah-Odolu road, which has become a hotspot for criminal activities.
“We live in constant fear. People cannot go to the farm anymore because kidnappers can strike at any moment. The government needs to take immediate action before hunger takes over the land,” the source lamented.
Abandoned Farms, Looming Food Crisis
The worsening insecurity has had devastating effects on agricultural activities in these areas. Farmers who used to cultivate staple crops like cassava, yam, maize, and rice have left their farmlands for fear of being kidnapped.
“If this continues, food prices will skyrocket, and hunger will increase because we won’t be able to produce enough for the market,” another resident warned.
Impact on Employment and Economy
Beyond the immediate food crisis, the situation is also worsening unemployment in the affected areas. Many youths who rely on farming as a means of livelihood are now stranded, unable to work or earn a living.
Residents Call for Urgent Government Intervention
Community members are calling on the Kogi State Government, security agencies, and the Federal Government to urgently intervene before the situation spirals further out of control.
“The government needs to deploy security forces along the Idah-Odolu road and into the farmlands. If nothing is done soon, people will be forced into extreme poverty, and criminal activities might even get worse,” a community leader pleaded.
As the crisis deepens, residents urge authorities to take proactive measures by increasing security patrols, improving intelligence gathering, and ensuring that these criminal gangs are dismantled before they completely cripple the farming sector in Kogi State.
For now, the fear of kidnappers looms larger than the hope of a bountiful harvest, leaving farmers and their families in distress.