NAN-H-5
Food
By Chinyere Bassey
Lagos, Jan. 10, 2018 (NAN) A unionist, Mr Simon Anchaver, on Wednesday said that continued attacks on Benue people by herdsmen would impact negatively on farming, food supply and the Nigerian economy this year.
“The attacks will reduce food production to zero level, if not tackled. There is no farming in the urban areas.
“There will be hunger in the state and government revenue will be negatively affected,’’ Anchaver, President, Agriculture and Allied Employees Union of Nigeria, said in Lagos.
The union leader spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He claimed that no fewer than 50 members of the union in Benue had been killed by herdsmen.
Anchaver said that farmers might not return to farms this year except their security would be guaranteed.
“The Federal Government should help the state to find a lasting solution to the attacks,’’ the unionist urged.
NAN reports that herdsmen suspected to be Fulanis resumed attacks on various areas of the state on Jan. 1, killing more than 50 people and wounding some others, with many fleeing their homes.
Meanwhile, Gov. Samuel Ortom has said that Benue’s anti-open grazing law will not be repealed.
He and appealed to the Federal Government to strengthen security in the state.
Herdsmen have killed a large number of people in the various local government areas of Benue since 2011. (NAN)
CHIN/FF/IGO
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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Ijeoma Popoola