By Marie-Therese Nanlong

In the quiet expanse of Naton-Fursa in the Jos East Local Government Area, an extraordinary scene unfolded on Tuesday.

Against a backdrop of drumming feet and solemn salutes, 150 men and women stood in uniformed ranks, their gazes fixed ahead, toward farms in Plateau.

They are not just security agents; they are Agro-Rangers, with a clear mission to guard the fields that feed the State, and others.

At the helm of this defining moment is the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, whose administration is aggressively charting a course to reposition agriculture as the backbone of Plateau’s economy.

The commissioning of this second batch of Agro-Rangers, under the auspices of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), reflects a growing urgency to shield farmers from violence and reclaim the dwindling food security Nigeria so desperately needs.

“This is more than just a security deployment. It is a declaration that our farmers will not be left behind, and that our fields will not be abandoned to fear and conflict,” Governor Mutfwang told the gathering at the Passing-Out Parade of the Agro-Rangers.

In a State long troubled by farmer-herder conflicts, banditry, and rural insecurity, the new Agro-Rangers bring hope.

Their deployment comes at a time when agricultural activities are increasingly under threat, because many farmers have been displaced, harvests destroyed, and communities left in mourning. As food prices soar nationwide, the ripple effect of insecurity on farming is evident at every market stall.

For Governor Mutfwang, protecting agriculture is a moral, economic, and national imperative. “Our farms are national assets that must not only be protected but fully cultivated. Without security, there is no farming. Without farming, there is no food. And without food, there is no peace,” he said.

The Governor’s remarks struck a chord. Agriculture employs a significant portion of Plateau’s population, and any disruption affects not just livelihoods but national stability. Hunger, as he warned, makes a population more vulnerable to manipulation, crime, and unrest.

“We cannot afford to let insecurity feed hunger and let hunger feed more insecurity,” he cautioned.

The Agro-Rangers are trained specifically to operate in agricultural zones, offering both physical security and community engagement. Their mandate includes protecting farmers during planting and harvest seasons, ensuring safe access to farmlands, and responding to threats before they escalate.

Ahmed Audi, the Commandant General of the NSCDC, expressed satisfaction at the growing partnership with Plateau State, noting that this deployment builds on the gains of the first batch.

“We are determined to support governments across the country to secure farming communities. Food security is not just about seeds and soil, it’s about safety,” Audi stressed.

In places like Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Riyom, and others, where many residents have abandoned their lands for fear of attacks, the presence of Agro-Rangers would be a turning point as the State Government has promised continued investment and oversight, with Governor Mutfwang stating that this is “only one layer in a multi-dimensional approach to restoring peace.”

In commissioning the Agro-Rangers, Plateau State is planting the seeds of a future where farmers can work without fear, and communities can flourish again, as Martha Iliya from Bokkos noted, “We just want to go back to our farms and plant in peace,” and Comfort Sha from Barkin Ladi stated, “If these Agro-Rangers can make going back to the farms possible, then they are a blessing to us.”

count | 69

Farms Under Watch: Agro-Rangers to Enhance Gov. Mutfwang’s Efforts at Food Security