A farmer in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State has reportedly abandoned his farmland after suspected bandits demanded N500,000 before allowing him to harvest his crops.
The farmer, a resident of Mbagena Council Ward, was allegedly targeted by local bandits who have been accused of terrorising communities and imposing ransom payments on residents.
His son, John James, a 300-level student of Benue State University, disclosed the family’s ordeal during a capacity-building workshop organised by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, in Makurdi.
James said the incident began about two weeks ago when suspected bandits invaded his father’s residence at night.
According to him, the attackers demanded N500,000 from his father and gave him an initial deadline of three days to produce the money.
However, after his father explained that he could not immediately raise the ransom because his farm produce had not been harvested, the deadline was reportedly extended to one week.
James said his father had planned to harvest groundnuts, beniseed, soyabeans and other crops to raise money for the payment.
The situation later took a more dangerous turn when the suspected bandits returned to the family home while the farmer was away at a burial ceremony.
James alleged that the attackers abducted his mother after accusing his father of deliberately delaying the ransom payment.
She was eventually released after one of the abductors reportedly intervened, citing her distressed condition.
James said his mother had suffered both physical and emotional trauma following the incident.
As pressure mounted on the family, his father reportedly turned to relatives and friends for financial assistance and eventually raised N200,000.
The money was delivered to the suspected bandits at midnight on Thursday.
But the payment did not end the ordeal.
According to James, the attackers rejected the N200,000 as insufficient and insisted that the farmer must pay the outstanding N300,000 before he could safely return to his farm.
The demand has left the farmer unable to access much of his agricultural produce.
James said his father is now staying away from the community because of continuing threats from the suspected bandits.
“He can’t go back to harvest everything now until he gets all the money,” the student said, explaining that the family fears further attacks.
The alleged extortion has also raised concerns about the growing vulnerability of farmers in rural Benue communities.
Rather than simply demanding money from residents, the attackers are allegedly using access to farmland as leverage, leaving farmers caught between losing their crops and risking their lives.
James further alleged that some of the suspected bandits are residents of the area and are known to members of the community.
He claimed that repeated attacks, theft and intimidation had become a source of concern for villagers.
The student said his father had previously been attacked, with his money and belongings allegedly taken by the assailants.
However, he described the latest incident as a new level of insecurity because his father was allegedly required to pay before accessing his own farm.
James also expressed concern about the reluctance of residents to report attacks to security agencies.
He alleged that some villagers who had sought police intervention were later targeted by the attackers.
The claim, if established, highlights the difficult security environment facing communities where residents fear reprisals after reporting criminal activity.
Benue has continued to face security challenges in several rural communities, with farmers frequently exposed to threats that can disrupt agricultural activities and household livelihoods.
The incident was brought to public attention at the SERAP workshop, which focused on safety and security rights, accountability and access to justice.
The programme also gave residents an opportunity to discuss their experiences and examine ways communities can demand greater protection and accountability from relevant authorities.
For the affected farmer, however, the immediate concern remains his abandoned crops and the threats allegedly hanging over his family.
Until the security situation improves, the family may be unable to return to the farm, potentially leaving a significant portion of its harvest vulnerable to loss.