Some residents of Plateau have decried the incessant destruction of crops on farmlands in the state by some criminals elements.
Some of the residents told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Jos that the situation could lead to food scarcity in the state and the country in general.
NAN reports that farmlands in Riyom, Bassa, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Mangu, Jos South Local Government Areas of the state had recorded such destructions by hoodlums.
Recently, 45 farmlands belonging to 25 families in Ta’agbe community of Miango chiefdom of Bassa were destroyed.
Similarly, farmlands with crops worth N1billion in Kwi and Jol communities of Riyom were recently destroyed.
Mr Pam Gyang, a civil servant and farmer, described the development as “unfortunate”, adding that the situation could lead to acute poverty, hunger and squalour in the nation.
According to him, the trend, if not urgently addressed could also lead to famine in the state and the country as a whole.
“It is unfortunate and very pathetic that people suffered to farm and plant crops expecting a bumper harvest, but some criminals will just come overnight and destroy it.
“If this development is not urgently addressed, it will not only lead to high inflation, but acute famine in the country,” he decried.
On her part, Mrs Sarah John, a teacher, lamented that the destruction of farmlands in the state had led to the increase in prices of foodstuff in the market.
She added that the hike in prices of foodstuff has inflicted more hardship on Nigerians, particularly the poor ones.
“Today, prices of foodstuff have been rising on daily basis because farmlands are destroyed and there is short supply of farm produce to the markets.
“For instance, before now, a measure of maize was N200, now it is N500. I don’t know how it will be in the coming months,” she said.
Da Jerome Rwang, a farmer and resident of Rayfield, agreed with John, adding that it would be difficult for many people to survive if the situation continued.
He added that the nation’s economy would also suffer if nothing was done to nip the situation in the bud.
“Prices of every commodity in the market have skyrocketed; if this continues, many people will not survive the heat.
“With this trend, many people will become beggars and our economy will also be in big trouble,” he said.
Also, Mrs Rose Dung called on the government and security agencies to urgently address the situation by arresting the perpetrators, adding that they should also be made to face the full wrath of law.
She added that such giant move would serve as deterrent to others and would drastically address the inhuman act.
On his part, Mr John Akin, a legal practitioner, called on government to compensate those whose farmlands were destroyed.
“My opinion and call is that government should device a means of compensating the affected farmers so that they will have a sense of belonging,” he advised. (NAN)
