An assessment of rural kidnapping and food security in Talata Marafa LGA of Zamfara State

CHAPTER ONE

• Introduction

Kidnapping is the forcible seizure, taking away and unlawful detention of a person against his/her will; it is a restriction of someone else liberty which violates the provision of freedom of movement enshrined in the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria. Over the years, Nigeria, especially the Northeast region had witnessed a serious insecurity challenge of banditry which transformed into human abduction, wanton killings and ethnic bigotry, that has distorted rural communities’ livelihood. The level of rural kidnapping escalated between 2014 and 2021 attracting a lot of attention (Ajodo-Adebanjoko, 2020). The incidence of rural kidnapping has destabilized agricultural and socio-economic activities leading to food insecurity in rural communities and the nation.

In fact, farming is the mainstay of the local livelihood and National Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in many African countries (Mendelsohn, Dinar, and Dalelt,.2008). In Nigeria, an agrarian country, about 70% -80% of the population engage in agricultural production at a subsistence level (National Report, 2006; Tunde, Usman and Olaweopo, 2011), and the agricultural sector accounts for one-third of the GDP of the country (Muhammed Lawal and Atte, 2006). Any form of violence in rural areas where majority of the people are farmers is bound to affect food security and farming practices anywhere in the world. Farming system is an integrated set of activities that farmers execute in their farms under their resources and circumstances to maximize the productivity and net farm income on a sustainable basis. Farming system is an approach for developing farm-household systems, built on the principles of productivity, profitability, stability and sustainability.

For instance, food security according to the World Food Summit 1996 “exists when all people at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active healthy life” (FAO, 2008).  The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO, 2010) simply defines food security as the availability of food in terms of production, distribution and consumption.   Any form of violence that leads to insecurity in rural areas where majority of people are farmers is bound to affect food security anywhere in the world.  Food security is a circumstance when people at frequent times have social, physical and economic access to adequate, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary demand for healthy living. Food security measures the availability and easy access to food for individual, groups, family or household consumptions without paying direly (Olaoye, 2014)

Admittedly, rural communities in Nigeria have increasingly faced security threats, with kidnapping emerging as a critical challenge. Talata Marafa LGA in Zamfara State is one such area where rural kidnapping has disrupted social and economic activities, including agriculture, which is the backbone of food security. The increasing incidents of kidnapping have instilled fear among farmers, discouraging agricultural activities and threatening food supply. In the years 2011 to 2020, the banditry activities in the Northern States especially Zamfara aggravated, the kidnapping, killing, armed robbing and destruction of farms creating unprecedented food crisis (Sardauna, 2020). The impact of this on the economy is reflecting in the undaunted rise in the prices of food commodities, scarcity of some food items and adverse food insecurity as areas of which food items are planted/produced are no longer producing. This is because most of the farmers in famous communities in Talata Marafa local government area have abandoned their farms and migrate to other communities in seeking safety for their lives hence, leaving their farms fallow and unharvested crops which would pose adverse effect on the farming system and lead to food insecurity and scarcity.

Therefore, it is against this backdrop that this study seeks to explore the relationship between rural kidnapping and food security in Talata Marafa LGA, analyzing its implications and possible solutions.

• Statement of The Problem

Rural kidnapping has emerged as a critical challenge in various parts of Nigeria, and Talata Mafara Local Government Area (LGA) in Zamfara State is no exception. Once considered a relatively peaceful agricultural hub, the region has witnessed a surge in insecurity, particularly in the form of abductions and violent attacks by armed groups. This increasing wave of rural kidnapping has brought untold hardship to the residents, disrupted local economies, and posed significant threats to food security and rural development.

In most instances farmers were kidnapped when they go to the farm to work, and they were taken to the forest and will not be released till large sums of moneys are paid as ransom.  This payment of ransom impoverishes the farmers and in some cases the farmers had no option but to sell their properties including their farmlands to get money to pay ransom.  In Talata, some of the farmers in the villages sold their farmlands to buy a house in different Local Government Area to escape kidnapping.  One of the most recent cases of kidnapping was at village of Maradun on 28th July 2023, where about 35 residents was kidnapped at night while sleeping.  There are so many cases of kidnapped and majority don’t return. Their corpses may be found after some days or never seen. These farmers depend mostly on farming as source of livelihood.

Moreover, the economic impact of rural kidnapping cannot be overemphasized. Farmers now spend exorbitant amounts of money on hiring security or paying ransoms, which depletes their savings and leaves little to invest in agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and equipment. Additionally, market access has been severely restricted, as road networks have become unsafe due to the activities of bandits and kidnappers. This has led to the spoilage of perishable goods, increased cost of food, and further impoverishment of rural households.

Undoubtedly, the essence of rural communities in Talata Mafara lies in their dependence on agriculture as a primary source of livelihood. Most inhabitants engage in farming activities such as crop production, animal husbandry, and food processing. However, the growing insecurity has forced many farmers to abandon their farmlands for fear of being kidnapped or killed. In some instances, entire communities have been displaced due to persistent attacks, leading to reduced agricultural productivity and a decline in food availability. As a result, food scarcity, malnutrition, and hunger have become more prevalent in the region, affecting not just residents but also surrounding areas that depend on Talata Mafara for food supply.

Despite government efforts and community-based interventions, the issue remains persistent and, in some cases, intensifying. There appears to be a significant gap in the understanding of the nexus between rural kidnapping and food security, especially at the grassroots level in places like Talata Mafara. Without concrete data and comprehensive analysis, policy responses remain reactive and insufficiently targeted. The rise in kidnapping cases in rural areas of Zamfara State has significantly impacted agricultural productivity and food security. Farmers, who are the primary food producers, are often targeted, leading to reduced farming activities.

Consequently, food shortages, increased prices, and economic instability have become prevalent in affected areas. Therefore, it becomes imperative to assess the impact of rural kidnapping on food security in Talata Mafara LGA. This study seeks to fill the existing knowledge gap by examining the patterns of kidnapping incidents, the socio-economic consequences on farming communities, and the coping mechanisms adopted by residents. By doing so, it aims to provide evidence-based recommendations that can inform policy, enhance rural security, and improve food resilience in the region and in Nigeria.

1.3 Research Questions

1. What is the prevalence of rural kidnapping in Talata Marafa LGA?
2. How does rural kidnapping affect agricultural productivity in the study area?
3. What are the economic implications of kidnapping on food security in Zamfara?
4. What measures can be implemented to curb kidnapping and enhance food security in Talata Marafa LGA?

1.4 General Research Objective

The general objective of this study is to assess the impact of rural kidnapping on food security in Talata Marafa LGA of Zamfara State.

1.5 Specific Research Objectives

1. To determine the prevalence of rural kidnapping in Talata Marafa LGA.
2. To examine the effects of kidnapping on agricultural activities and productivity in the study area.
3. To analyze the economic impact of kidnapping on food supply and market stability in Talata Marafa LGA.
4. To Highlight the efforts of the government in tackling Kidnapping to improve food security in Talata Marafa local Government Area.
5. To propose strategic measures for mitigating kidnapping and improving food security.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study is significant in the following ways:

1. It provides insight into the growing issue of rural kidnapping and its impact on food security.
2. It informs policymakers and security agencies on the need for improved security measures in rural communities.
3. It serves as a reference for future research on rural insecurity and food security challenges.
4. It offers recommendations for enhancing food production and mitigating security threats in agricultural areas.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study focuses on Talata Marafa  LGA in Zamfara State, Nigeria, examining the relationship between rural kidnapping and food security. It covers aspects such as the frequency of kidnapping incidents, effects on farmers and agricultural activities, economic consequences, and potential solutions.

1.8 Definition of Terms

1. Kidnapping: The unlawful act of seizing and detaining a person against their will, often for ransom.
2. Food Security: A situation where all individuals have reliable access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.
3. Rural Insecurity: Threats to the safety and stability of rural communities, including violence, theft, and kidnapping.
4. Agricultural Productivity: The measure of output per unit of agricultural input, such as land, labor, and capital.
5. Banditry: Consists of the organization of armed bands for the purpose of attacking state or social institutions or enterprises or individual persons .
6. Violence: The use of physical force or power, whether threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or a group.
7.  Assessment: process of gathering and evaluating information to understand someone’s knowledge, skills or abilities of a subject study or research.
8. Rural: a non-urban area characterized by a lower population density, open spaces, and often a slower pace of life typically located outside of cities and towns.
9. Rural Farmer: Those involved in farming and carrying out other related farming activities in the village.
10. Agrarian: this refers to the land, farming and rural populations.

1.9 Limitations of the Study

1. This study may encounter the following limitations:
2. Limited access to data: Due to security concerns, some victims or families may be reluctant to provide information.
3. Time constraints: The study requires extensive field research, which may be restricted by available time.
4. Financial limitations: Conducting interviews and gathering data from different parts of Talata LGA may require significant financial resources.
5. Security challenges: The presence of kidnapping activities may pose risks in conducting field studies.