By Nathaniel Zaccheaus, Abuja
The Senate on Wednesday sounded a grave warning over Nigeria’s food supply, declaring that escalating terror attacks on farming communities are fast undermining agricultural production and pushing the country toward a major food security crisis.
In a decisive move, lawmakers ordered the immediate deployment and relocation of additional troops to Benue State and the North-East, stressing that restoring security in agrarian regions is now critical to safeguarding the nation’s food systems and rural economy.
“This escalating violence now poses a serious threat to food production, national security and economic stability,” the Senate declared.
The resolutions followed extensive deliberations on fresh attacks on military formations in Monguno and Benisheikh in Borno State, as well as sustained killings, displacement and destruction of farmlands in Benue and other agrarian communities.
Lawmakers observed that the attacks are no longer isolated security incidents but part of a broader pattern disrupting farming cycles, forcing rural populations to flee and leaving vast hectares of farmland uncultivated.
Leading the debate, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno described the attacks on Monguno—a major military garrison—and Benisheikh, a strategic transit hub along the Damaturu–Maiduguri corridor, as highly coordinated operations aimed at weakening both security architecture and economic lifelines.
“The coordinated attacks reflect a deliberate attempt by insurgents to disrupt operations and destabilise already fragile communities,” he said.
He warned that the evolving tactics of insurgents, including assaults on military bases and key transport corridors, could further hinder humanitarian access and food distribution networks in the region.
Beyond the North-East, the Senate turned attention to Benue State, widely regarded as the nation’s food basket, where persistent attacks on rural communities have severely disrupted farming activities.
Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro painted a grim picture of the situation, noting that fear and displacement have become widespread among farmers.
“The frequency and brutality of these attacks clearly indicate a worsening security situation,” Moro said.
He added, “They endanger food security beyond Benue and threaten livelihoods across the country.”
According to lawmakers, many farmers have abandoned their lands at the onset of the planting season, raising concerns over reduced harvests, rising food prices and increased pressure on already strained food supply chains.
Consequently, the Senate directed the immediate relocation and deployment of additional military and police personnel to affected communities in Benue and the North-East, with a mandate to secure farmlands, protect rural populations and restore confidence among displaced farmers.
Lawmakers stressed that the troop surge is necessary not only to curb violence but also to enable farmers to return to their fields without fear.
The upper chamber also called for the establishment of new security formations in vulnerable local government areas to provide sustained protection for farming communities and critical agricultural infrastructure.
In addition, the Senate mandated the military high command to conduct a comprehensive operational and logistical audit of recent attacks, focusing on troop readiness, equipment adequacy and response strategies.
“We must urgently consider suspending political activities in areas facing constant attacks until normalcy is restored,” Senator Abdul Ningi said, arguing that governance priorities must shift toward stabilising affected regions.
The Senate also emphasised the need for stronger civilian protection measures, improved intelligence gathering and closer collaboration between security agencies and local communities.
Senator Diket Plang described the wave of violence as part of a broader attempt to destabilise both governance and economic stability.
“This is a calculated attempt to instil fear among Nigerians and destabilise public confidence in government institutions,” he said.
Lawmakers observed a minute of silence in honour of fallen soldiers and civilians, noting that repeated attacks on military formations signal a dangerous escalation that could reverse gains in the counter-insurgency campaign.
While commending troops of Operation Hadin Kai for their resilience, the Senate called on the Federal Government to prioritise their welfare, provide modern equipment and sustain morale in the face of increasing threats.
Responding to concerns raised during the debate, Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin acknowledged the scale of the challenge but assured that efforts are underway to strengthen military capacity.
“The President is working very hard to ensure that our security forces are adequately equipped and supported,” he said.
Beyond military intervention, the Senate urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant bodies to provide urgent humanitarian assistance, including food, shelter and medical support, to displaced persons in Benue, Borno and other affected states.
Lawmakers also called for long-term solutions to recurring violence, including land-use reforms, ranching policies, and structured mechanisms for conflict resolution to address farmer-herder tensions that compound insecurity in farming regions.
They further stressed the importance of community cooperation, urging residents to provide timely intelligence to security agencies to enhance response efforts and prevent further attacks.
The Senate warned that failure to act decisively could deepen the humanitarian crisis, disrupt national food supply chains and worsen economic instability, insisting that securing farming communities must now be treated as a matter of urgent national priority.
