The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation Afenifere has raised concerns over the growing attacks and abductions targeting farmers and other residents across the South-West, warning that the worsening insecurity could threaten food production in the region.
Afenifere made the warning on Friday through its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, following recent visits to communities in the Oke-Ogun area and northern parts of Oyo and Ondo states. The organisation said residents told its representatives that many farmers had abandoned their farmlands because of insecurity.
According to the group, farmers cited three major reasons for leaving their farms: fear of kidnapping, poor prices for agricultural produce and continued grazing on farmlands by what it described as unscrupulous herders.
Afenifere listed several recent incidents to illustrate the situation, including the killing of a female farmer in Ondo State, the abduction of 33-year-old poultry farmer Ooreoluwa Osonuga in Ikenne, Ogun State, the killing of four farmers in Oke-Ogun, Oyo State, and the abduction of Debo Farounbi in Ora, Osun State.
The organisation said Farounbi, who was reportedly kidnapped on June 9, 2026, had remained in captivity despite the payment of N30 million ransom, with his abductors allegedly demanding additional money and motorcycles.
Afenifere also cited concerns raised by the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, which reported in June that persistent abductions of farmers, farm workers and agribusiness investors in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states were discouraging investment and reducing agricultural productivity.
The group said some farmers were now abandoning their farms because they feared abduction, ransom demands and violent attacks.
One of those affected is Ondo farmer Eddy Olafeso, who reportedly owns 10 hectares where he grows cassava, cocoa, yam and plantain. According to Afenifere, Olafeso said he had stopped farming there primarily because of insecurity.
The organisation also pointed to the wider impact of insecurity on food production. It quoted Shitu Kabir, President of the Cowpea and Beans Farmers Association of Nigeria and Vice President of the Federation of Agricultural Commodities Association, as saying production of those commodities had fallen by almost 70 per cent in parts of the country.
Afenifere warned that if the security situation is not urgently addressed, the consequences could extend beyond individual farmers to the region’s food supply, employment and rural economy.
The organisation’s concerns are consistent with broader reports of worsening insecurity in the South-West. Earlier reports documented increasing kidnappings and attacks affecting farmers, travellers and rural communities in states including Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ogun.
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