Farmers, Longing for a Paradise Lost
By Michael Oba-Joseph
Farming has long been the source of livelihood and the backbone of communities across Edo and Delta states. For centuries the fertile soils, winding riverine plains, and dense forest corridors have nurtured generations of families, sustaining livelihoods through the cultivation of cassava, yams, maize, plantain, cocoa, and palm oil.
Before now, early mornings in Uhen and Okada in Ovia North-East of Edo State bring a serene glow to the ridges of cassava and the scattered stands of plantain, suddenly, beneath the apparent tranquility, an invisible tension now stretches across the landscape so much that paths that once connected homes to fields now carry a subtle, ever present threat. Indeed, when this Reporter visited Okada near Benin city recently, the soothing silence everywhere in homes of many of the farmers this Reporter visited speaks volumes.
As they come out of their houses, to talk with this Reporter, the fear and pain which are expressed in their faces seemed like a distant memory of sadness and hopelessness.
In recent years, the troubles in the many farming communities are legion namely, armed groups, often identified locally as Fulani herdsmen, kidnapping and insurgency among others. In the wake of attacks by Fulani herdsmen, in parts of Edo and Delta States, the once fertile communities land used for vast farming have been transformed into spaces where fear rules and so hardly would you find farmer going far to plant cassava, yams, maize, plantain, cocoa, or engage in palm oil production.
Before now for instance, Ogiesoba, a farmer of fifty-eight years, awakes before dawn in a small bamboo hut he constructed at the edge of his farm in Uhen to continue with his farming. For decades, he worked alongside his father on this land, learning the intricacies of soil, planting cycles, and crop rotation.
The hut, built out of necessity, allows him to remain close to his crops and to respond quickly to any sign of danger. But the encroachment of armed men has forthwith reshaped his daily routines. Where he once moved freely through the fields, he now walks cautiously, scanning the soil for footprints and hoofprints, noting signs of trespass, broken or uprooted stems. Each imprint in the earth is a story, a silent warning. Confrontation is not an option; survival demands vigilance, observation, and sometimes, silence.
In Delta State, similar patterns of fear and adaptation emerge. Oghenemaro, farmer of forty-nine, cultivates cassava and maize along a ridge near Abraka forest in Ethiope West local Government. His brother, Onoriode, was however kidnapped while working beside him in the fields. The armed assailants moved with precision, exploiting the dense forest cover. Onoriode was dragged aggressively into the bush while Oghenemaro ran to raise an alarm. Within hours, the family received a ransom demand. Negotiations lasted four days, eventually concluding with the payment of seven hundred thousand naira borrowed from family, friends, and church members and Onoriode returned traumatized, physically and mentally weakened. Since that day, he has abandoned farming, leaving Oghenemaro to navigate the fields alone, constantly calculating risks.
Female farmers face their own challenges. For instance,Mama Roseline, fifty-six, from Orogun, commutes daily to her farms between Oria and Eku, both in Ethiope East local government, Delta State accompanied by three of her children. She trained them to identify signs of danger, to listen for distant gunfire, and to recognize unfamiliar tracks. The vigilance of these children serves as an early-warning system, providing Mama Roseline a measure of safety while tending her crops. Past experiences inform her of caution where a neighbor had been attacked while working alone, sustaining injuries that forced her to abandon her farm. For Mama Roseline, farming under threat is a necessity, a way to ensure her family’s survival despite pervasive insecurity.
The challenges facing farmers are not anecdotal. In Edo State, communities such as Ekiadolor, Uhen, Okada, Ofosu, Ogbese, and Ehor have experienced repeated armed incursions. Similarly, in Delta State especially in Abraka, Eku, Oria, Ughelli South, Oleh, Ozoro, Uwherun, Udu and Okpe have witnessed kidnappings, harassment, and destruction of crops. The forested corridors and remote farmlands offer concealment to armed men while reducing the reach and effectiveness of law enforcement. Farmers often report incidents, but responses are delayed or inadequate, leaving communities to develop their own strategies for survival.
Statistical data shows that attacks on farmers, community members and travelers by Fulani herdsmen have been on the constant rise since 2024 till date running into significant hundreds in number when juxtaposed with earlier years. For instance, on the 28th of March 2024, Emuhu community in Ika South LGA of Delta state witnessed 3 of her community members killed and another 6 brutally wounded in an attacked attributed to Fulani Herdsmen. Mbiri community of Ika North East LGA of Delta on January 29th-30th recorded the death of 2 individuals shot and killed in an attack allegedly perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen. Also, on the 18th of July 2025, Ubulu-Okiti community in Aniocha South LGA of Delta state witness 2 of her community members killed by people suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.
Also, on Monday, February 5th, 2024 Fulani herdsmen shot Mr. Ofe Ekevwerho from Uwherun community who died due to several gunshot wounds. Those with inside knowledge say these attacks have become more rampant in recent times so much so that regions spanning from Ozoro to Onicha- Ukwani to Igbanke to Ohoror to Obiaruku, including Ibusa to Abraka to Agbor, are now considered Fulani herdsmen territories, a red zone for farmers.
Community members and travelers in Delta and Edo states continue to live in fear of herdsmen attack, kidnappings and killings. For instance, on February, 25, this year, 2 farmers in Okpekpe community Etsako East LGA were killed in an attack coordinated by Fulani herdsmen. Also in Eware village, Etsako West LGA, 2 farmers were reportedly killed by Fulani herdsmen in an attack that occurred on 28th February 2025.
Just when the people of Etsako were mourning, on the 24th of March 2025, in Ukhun community of Esan West LGA, one person was reportedly killed and many more injured in an attack allegedly carried out by Fulani herdsmen.
Media Reports indicate that the in the year 2024 and this year, hundreds of people including farmers and travelers have died across Edo and Delta States
Experts say the economic loses are significant because Agriculture sustains households, local markets, and the regional food supply chains.
Experts equally warn that abandoned fields, disrupted planting cycles, and destroyed crops reduce crop output, raising prices and jeopardizing food security.
Similarly, the psychological toll it poses to the society according to agricultural and security experts are equally profound. Meanwhile, farming Families constantly weigh the risks of violence against the need to cultivate their land, and children are incorporated into protective routines, learning to read the landscape for danger rather than focusing solely on study or play. Local markets now reflect the economic impact. For instance, when this Reporter met with traders in Oba Market, Ekiosa Market, Ughelli Main Market, Abraka Market, Eku market, and Okpekpe market, the traders say they have difficulty sourcing produce, with sporadic shortages affecting supply and pricing.
What that implies is that economic productivity is diminishing, community cohesion is tested, and stress levels are on the all-time high. This according to observers account for why there is increase in youths preference for urban employment over farming thus, retarding the immortal knowledge of cultivation.
Most farmers in their bid to remain in the farming business, have adjusted their work schedules, some sleeping near farms and form a security chain that organises patrols around farms in communities as a way to demonstrate local resilience. In Uhunmwonde, Ovia North-East, Edo state, Abraka, Ughelli and Okpe, Delta State, volunteers are now armed with torches, whistles, cutlasses, and local firearms to patrol forest corridors in order to provide early warnings.
Their success however, is measured in survival rather than confrontation, highlighting the limitations of informal security measures and the creativity such communities employ in protecting themselves.
These patrols blend traditional knowledge with real-time adaptation, response to terrains very familiar, weather, and intelligence gathered from neighbors and sometimes travellers. Government responses are however, limited by distance, limited resources, and political challenges. Rural farmlands, unfamiliar terrain, and little to no security presence make timely interventions challenging. Reporting incidents often yields no positive results, thus compelling farmers and communities to rely on self-protection for safety and survival.The gaps between formal authority and community proves that there is a systemic weakness in governance and law enforcement in rural Nigeria.
Meanwhile, panting and harvest seasons is another layer of complexity. The planting and harvesting cycles of cassava, maize, yams, and plantain are usually set in motion by rainfall and climate patterns, yet these rhythms are disrupted by insecurity. The rainy season, while essential for growth, complicates movement and exposes farmers to risks, while the dry months often leave long treks through isolated areas more vulnerable. Even then to miss planting or incomplete harvests translate into food scarcity and economic hardship.
Despite these challenges, farmers persist and the likes of Ogiesoba, continue to rise before dawn, navigates his ridges, tending crops with care and vigilance. Same with Oghenemaro, who plans his precise movements, working daylight hours and maintaining communication with neighbors. As for Mama Roseline, she integrates her children into her routines, imbibing both survival skills and agricultural knowledge in them. Thus their daily labor is an act of courage and resilience, a quiet assertion of life and sustenance in the shadow of violence.The connection to land in Edo and Delta is profound. Farming is not solely a livelihood; it encodes cultural identity, inheritance, and the tangible link between past and future generations.
Inspite of the insecurity, abandoning the land is often a last resort, it’s only considered when continued cultivation becomes unsustainable. This attachment reinforces the commitment to work fields under threat, demonstrating that resilience is both cultural and practical. Fortunately, both Edo and Delta are key producers of staple produce and cash produce, and any decline in productivity affects markets, domestic food availability, and broader supply chains. Security concerns mirror the intersection of political governance, agricultural rules, and the community.
Observers say a coordinated intervention is needed, using local knowledge of terrains, law enforcement, intelligence, and rapid-response mechanisms to ensure sustainable farming and protection of the rural population. Even then, environmental factors also play a role. The dense forests, lonely footpaths, and riverine terrain hinder communication, transportation, and response. Armed groups exploit these advantages, using naturally provided concealers to conduct operations and evade law enforcement. Farmers have to adapt by monitoring the environment, interpreting signs, and constantly changing their routines to minimize exposure to threats. Observation and vigilance have become as essential as planting and weeding.Economic, social, and psychological impacts converge. Health outcomes are affected by stress, injuries, and reduced access to care. Education suffers as children engage in surveillance or protective roles. Community cohesion is tested, and trust is sometimes eroded by uncertainty. Farmers negotiate these pressures continuously, balancing survival, cultural identity, and economic necessity. Due to the uncertainty in security, crops may be harvested early, partially, or left unattended if risk is too great, affecting both yield and income. The flexibility required for survival is now as important as agricultural skill.Narratives of individuals shows broader trends. Ogiesoba exemplifies persistence in the face of fear, balancing vigilance and productivity. Oghenemaro’s experience mirrors the direct costs of kidnappings and incursions. Mama Roseline demonstrates the integration of family responsibility with survival strategies. Collectively, these experiences illustrate a community navigating an environment shaped by both natural and human threats.Community patrols and neighbor networks supplemengt for formal responses. While these initiatives provide early warning and mitigation, they remain limited in scope. Farmers understand that survival relies on local knowledge, environmental awareness, and proactive adaptaion. The strategies employed timed labor, coordinated watch, and risk assessment reflects praise-worthy adaptation despite limited resources.In all, the story of farming in Edo and Delta states is one of resilience, adaptation, and endurance. Land continues to be cultivated despite the presence of armed threats. Farmers negotiate the balance between productivity and safety while pulling on cultural heritage, practical knowledge, and community support. Their labor is a testament to human perseverance, showing a trilogy of bravery, intelligence, and necessity.Ogiesoba, Oghenemaro, and Mama Roseline continue their work daily. Their stories reflect an even broader regional pattern, where agriculture persists under constant threat. Crops grow, fields are tended, and communities learn to adapt. The presence of armed groups shape but does not entirely halt, the flow of rural life. Dawn gives way to morning light, and the quiet persistence of human labor continues, sustaining households, markets, economy and cultural continuity.The land, forest, and riverine corridors remain silent witnesses to this persistence. The daily acts of planting, tending, and harvesting constitute both resistance and survival. Farmers assert life, sustenance, and dignity in a landscape defined by both productivity and peril. Edo and Delta States illustrate that even in the face of armed intrusion, farming endures, connecting past, present, and future through the unwavering commitment of those who continue to cultivate the soil.