Nigeria’s food security agenda is receiving an unexpected but decisive boost from the military. The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed that sustained nationwide operations are enabling farmers to cultivate and harvest crops without hindrance, even in previously volatile regions.
This assurance came from Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, during a briefing in Abuja on the armed forces’ weekly operational update. Kangye noted that ongoing ground and aerial campaigns against insurgents, bandits, and oil thieves have directly translated into safer farmlands and a renewed confidence among rural farming communities.
Securing the Food Basket
According to the DHQ, the significance of this development cannot be overstated. Agriculture remains Nigeria’s largest employer of labour, with millions of households depending on subsistence and commercial farming for survival. Yet, insecurity in key food-producing states has long undermined output, driving up food inflation and threatening the nation’s food security.
By creating breathing space for farmers, the military is indirectly stabilising agricultural value chains—from maize in the North West, to rice in the North Central, to cassava and yam in the South. Kangye emphasized:
“The intensity of our operations has afforded farmers the opportunity to carry out farming activities unhindered. This effort will be sustained throughout the farming season and beyond.”
Regional DHQ Operations and Agricultural Impact
- North East: Troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters in Borno and Yobe States, seizing arms, vehicles, and cash. For farming communities, this provides safer access to irrigated farmlands around Lake Chad Basin and the fertile plains of Yobe.
- North West: Operation Fasan Yamma rescued over 60 kidnap victims across Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna, and Niger States. These areas are critical to Nigeria’s livestock, groundnut, and cereal production.
- North Central: Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke eliminated bandit groups and arrested notorious criminals in Plateau and Kaduna States. The region’s yam, rice, and sorghum belts are now seeing gradual recovery.
- South South: Operation Delta Safe disrupted oil theft worth N25 million and dismantled illegal refining sites. By curbing environmental damage, troops are indirectly safeguarding fishing and farming livelihoods in the Niger Delta.
- South East: Operation Udo Ka engaged IPOB/ESN elements and, in collaboration with NAPTIP, rescued women and children from an illegal orphanage. Stability here is crucial to agro-industrial zones processing cassava, palm oil, and fruits.
Linking Security to Food Security
Nigeria’s agricultural challenges are not just about seeds, mechanisation, or access to finance—they are fundamentally tied to security. Food inflation remains above 30%, driven largely by disrupted supply chains and the inability of farmers to access their lands safely.
The military’s current operations, therefore, represent more than tactical wins against insurgents; they are an economic intervention. As safe corridors open up for farmers, harvest yields are likely to rise, reducing dependence on food imports and easing pressure on household incomes.
Outlook: Sustaining Gains Beyond 2025 Farming Season
While the gains are tangible, sustaining them will require stronger coordination between security agencies, agricultural extension services, and local communities. If momentum is maintained, Nigeria could see improved harvests across staples like rice, maize, millet, and cassava, helping to tame food inflation and bolster rural prosperity.
For agribusiness investors, the message is clear: Nigeria’s agricultural heartlands are gradually regaining stability, creating opportunities for input suppliers, processors, and exporters. The military, unexpectedly, has become a silent partner in rebuilding confidence across the food value chain.
