A farmer in Kastina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State has reportedly been forced to abandon his farm after suspected bandits demanded N500,000 before allowing him to access and harvest his crops.
The farmer, whose identity was withheld, is from Mbagena Council Ward in Kastina-Ala, where suspected local bandits have allegedly been terrorising residents and imposing ransom demands.
His son, John James, a 300-level student of Benue State University, disclosed the family’s ordeal during a capacity-building workshop organised by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in Makurdi.
According to James, his father was attacked at his home about two weeks ago by suspected bandits who demanded N500,000 in ransom. The attackers initially gave him three days to raise the money but later extended the deadline to one week after he explained that he needed to harvest his crops to raise the funds.
The farmer had returned to harvest groundnuts, beniseed, soybeans and other crops when the situation escalated.
James said the attackers later returned to the family home while his father was away attending a burial ceremony and abducted his mother, accusing the farmer of deliberately delaying payment.
His mother was eventually released after one of the abductors reportedly pleaded for her freedom because she was crying and visibly distressed. However, James said she was tortured during her captivity and has continued to suffer physical and emotional trauma.
He said his father eventually raised N200,000 with the help of friends and relatives and handed the money to the bandits at midnight on Thursday.
However, the attackers allegedly insisted that the full N500,000 must be paid before the farmer could freely access his farm.
According to James, his father was only able to harvest part of his crops before the bandits demanded the remaining N300,000. The continued threats eventually forced him to flee the area, leaving his crops behind.
“They are still threatening my father for the remaining amount, and he is on the run for fear of the unknown. He cannot return to harvest everything until he gets all the money,” James said.
He also alleged that the suspected bandits operate freely within the community and that some are known to local residents.
James said other villagers had suffered similar attacks, including theft, intimidation and repeated assaults. He further alleged that residents were reluctant to report attacks to security agencies because some people who had sought police intervention were later targeted by the bandits.
The incident was discussed at the SERAP workshop, which provided an opportunity for community members to share their experiences of insecurity and learn more about accountability, justice and their rights to safety and security.
.jpeg)
.jpeg "Sunayen kofofin aljanna guda takwas 8")
0 Comment about the Post: