Bandit-Imposed Levies on Farmers and its Implications on Nigeria’s Food Security: Areas for Legislative Intervention

Abstract

Nigeria’s agricultural sector, central to food production and rural livelihoods, is under severe threat as armed bandits impose levies on farmers, demanding sums such as ₦50,000 per acre before planting or harvesting in parts of Kano and Katsina States. This practice effectively functions as an informal taxation system that raises production costs, limits farm access, and undermines food availability. These levies occur against the backdrop of deepening food insecurity: an estimated 30–34.7 million Nigerians face acute food insecurity, Nigeria hosts one of the highest numbers of food-insecure people globally, and food inflation has soared at various points above 40%, with some regions experiencing far higher local spikes. Nigeria also ranked 115th out of 123 countries on the Global Hunger Index in 2025, signaling a “serious” hunger crisis. This brief analyzes the impacts of bandit levies on the agricultural economy, assesses government responses to date, and proposes legislative interventions to protect farmers, stabilize food systems, and safeguard national food security. Addressing the economic impact of bandit-imposed levies on farmers, and accessing its effect on food security, this brief hereby recommends the following: i. The National Assembly through its relevant Committees, Senate and House Committee on Agriculture Production and Services, Senate and House Committee on Defense, The senate and House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, through oversight functions may wish to Amend relevant laws to establish community-based rural security units linked to national security agencies. Ensure adequate funding for infrastructure, patrols, and intelligence in agricultural zones. ii. ii. The National Assembly through its oversight functions, may wish to advise the Federal Government, through the National Security Adviser, the Chief Justice of the Federation, The Federal Ministry of Agriculture, on the need to ensure protection of farmers by passing legislation classifying coercive levies and threats on farmers as agri-crimes with defined penalties.