News, Politics

NSCDC to Deploy 11,000 Agro-Rangers to Shield Farmers Ahead of 2026 Season

Published by Samuel Ayomide on March 8th, 2026.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has announced plans to deploy over 11,000 specially trained Agro-Rangers nationwide to protect farmers and agricultural investments ahead of the 2026 farming season.

NSCDC spokesman Babawale Afolabi said the deployment aims to curb the rising wave of attacks on farmers witnessed during the 2025 farming and harvest periods. “The security of farmers is our top priority,” he noted, adding that the corps will work closely with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to secure farmlands and mediate conflicts.

Afolabi revealed that the Commandant-General, Abubakar Audi, had reaffirmed the readiness of the NSCDC to station personnel in areas identified as high-risk. “The retraining and deployment of over 11,000 Agro-Rangers reflect our commitment to ensuring rural safety and combating food insecurity,” he said.

The move comes after several violent incidents in 2025, including the killing of at least 40 farmers near Lake Chad, multiple kidnappings in Borno, Niger, and Kwara States, and targeted attacks across Plateau, Kogi, and Benue States. These attacks have heightened fears over food production and rural livelihoods.

Stakeholders have warned that continued insecurity could worsen food shortages and push up inflation. With the nationwide deployment of Agro-Rangers, the NSCDC aims to create a safer environment for farmers, ensuring the country’s agricultural sector remains resilient in the coming season.