'Bandits’ attack on farmers may worsen food crisis in Nigeria' - Group

<h2></h2>, <h2>Save the Children International (SCI) Nigeria says incessant attacks and kidnapping of farmers in Nigeria might lead to a worsening food crisis.</h2>, <span>'Bandits’ attack on farmers may worsen food crisis in Nigeria' - Group</span>, <p>SCI director stated that 47% increase from the 17 million people who were already at risk of going hungry mainly due to the ongoing insecurity, protracted conflicts and the projected rise in food prices.</p>, <p>Famari Barro, Save the Children’s Country Director for Nigeria, said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.</p>, <p>‘’These violent attacks against farmers in Nigeria are exacerbating the already dire hunger crisis in the country, especially in the North.</p>, <p>‘’Millions of children in the North do not know where their next meal would come from.</p>, <p>“A relentless wave of attacks against farmers in Nigeria by armed groups is hindering critical food supplies, and threatening to push the country deeper into a devastating hunger crisis this year.</p>, <p>“Increased attacks against farmers across parts of the country are leading to displacements, market disruptions and loss of livelihoods,’’ he said.</p>, <p>He added: “Armed groups killed more than 128 farmers and kidnapped 37 others across Nigeria between January and June 2023, according to the Nigerian Security Tracker.</p>, <p>“In June, 19 farmers were killed by non-state armed groups in Nigeria’s northern Borno State alone.‘’</p>, <p>Barro said that armed groups committing the ruthless acts were disrupting food production and pushing children to the brink.</p>, <p>“Urgent action must prioritise the needs of children to stop this devastating trend and protect innocent lives.</p>, <p>“If not, armed groups will continue to carry out brutal attacks, drive up food prices, and push more families to starvation,’’ he said.</p>, <p>Barro said in January, the UN estimated that more than 25 million people in Nigeria could face food insecurity in 2023.</p>, <p>He said this was a 47% increase from the 17 million