Farming communities in Rijau Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State are reeling from the aftermath of a brutal bandit raid that resulted in the deaths of at least six residents, the abduction of more than 20 people, and the theft of over 1,000 cattle, crippling local agricultural livelihoods.

The attack, which unfolded in broad daylight on Monday, lasted over two hours without any security intervention. Witnesses say the assailants stormed the villages around 1 p.m., looting shops, raiding homes and farmlands, and firing sporadically, leaving fear and destruction in their wake.

Impact on Agriculture and Food Security

This latest assault is the most devastating in a string of violent incidents affecting Rijau and neighboring Mariga LGA. Smallholder farmers, pastoralists, and rural traders have suffered massive losses. Livestock rustling, grain looting, and the destruction of harvest-ready crops are threatening both local food availability and national food security.

Barau, a local grain trader, reportedly collapsed from the trauma of losing his entire store of food and cash. Others, including elderly shopkeepers and IDPs, are now receiving treatment in local clinics for injuries and stress-related conditions.

“We didn’t even harvest before running,” said Dan-Isah, a displaced farmer from Yinana village. “Now our children are starving and crying.”

Communities in Crisis

With the peak of the cropping season disrupted, thousands of displaced persons are sheltering in Rijau town under dire conditions—without food, aid, or medical care. Victims recount horrifying tales of captivity, gunshot wounds, and frantic escapes.

11-year-old Ismail Usman and Muhammad Adamu are among the wounded, recovering from gunshots. Adamu, who was assaulted in nearby Gulbin-Tsayi, said bandits demanded money, and when he couldn’t provide it, they beat and shot him.

Calls for Government Intervention

Residents and community leaders are urging the federal and state governments to prioritize rural security, deploy forces to volatile areas, and launch immediate relief interventions. Without urgent action, stakeholders warn that the ripple effect will destabilize supply chains, reduce livestock and grain production, and drive up food prices nationwide.

“We need seeds, we need protection, and we need support,” said Saidu Alhaji Mamman, one of the displaced.