The Birnin Gwari Emirate Progressives Union (BEPU) has issued a press statement expressing deep concern over the escalating security and agricultural crisis in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The union is calling on the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Kaduna State Government, security agencies, agricultural authorities, humanitarian organisations, and the general public to take immediate action to address the situation.
According to the statement, signed by the President of the Union Dr, Isah Muhammad maintained that the area has experienced notable improvements in security following recent peace efforts, but isolated security incidents and widespread farmland destruction have begun to raise concerns about sustaining the fragile peace and protecting the economic wellbeing of rural communities.
BEPU extends its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and associates of Hon. Auwal Magaji Kwaga, the former Councillor of Gayam Ward, who was brutally murdered by unrepentant bandits along the Birnin Gwari–Kwaga road.
The killing of Hon. Kwaga has deeply shaken the entire Birnin Gwari community, and BEPU views these attacks as deliberate provocations and attempts by criminal elements who have refused to renounce violence to destabilise the fragile peace in the area.
The union acknowledges the significant efforts made by the Kaduna State Government in 2024 to negotiate peace agreements with armed groups, which led to remarkable stability throughout much of 2025.
During the harvest season, numerous incidents of cattle invading farmlands were recorded, leading to massive destruction of crops and devastating losses for farmers.
BEPU is deeply alarmed by the extensive destruction of farmlands recorded during the 2025 farming season, with at least 173 farmers suffering severe losses across multiple wards and communities within Birnin Gwari.
The most affected wards include Gayam Ward, Magajin Gari I and II, Tabanni Ward, Kuyello Ward, Dogon Dawa, Kakangi, Damari, Kazage, Kutemeshi, Bugai, Samaru, Doka, and surrounding agricultural settlements. Data gathered from affected farmers shows that more than 182 hectares of cultivated farmland were confirmed destroyed, with estimated losses running into hundreds of millions of Naira.
The destruction has severely affected major staple and commercial crops, including beans, maize, sorghum, millet, soybean, rice, tomatoes, potatoes, pepper, and other mixed farm produce. These crops serve both household consumption and regional markets, and their destruction has disrupted local agricultural supply systems and household income sources.
Farmers’ testimonies highlight the severity of the crisis, with one farmer stating that the destruction ‘has completely undermined our source of livelihood and threatens our ability to continue farming’. Another respondent appealed for urgent government security intervention, stating that ‘without protection of farmlands, farmers will lose confidence in returning to agriculture’.
BEPU emphasises that the scale of farmland destruction poses a direct threat to food production, rural economic stability, and community peace. Agriculture remains the primary source of livelihood for the majority of Birnin Gwari residents, and the continued disruption of farming activities risks worsening poverty levels, increasing food shortages, and escalating insecurity in the region.
In light of these developments, BEPU respectfully calls on the Federal Government and Kaduna State Government to urgently conduct an independent and transparent field verification exercise to fully assess the scale of farmland destruction and validate affected farmers’ claims.
The union further calls for immediate strengthening and enforcement of livestock grazing regulations to prevent recurring farm invasions and crop destruction.
BEPU also strongly appeals for the provision of emergency relief assistance and compensation packages to verified affected farmers to enable them recover from the devastating losses experienced during the farming season.
Furthermore, BEPU urges relevant authorities to deploy effective rural security and agricultural protection mechanisms ahead of future farming seasons to safeguard farmlands and prevent recurring conflicts.
The Birnin Gwari Emirate Progressives Union reaffirms that the people of Birnin Gwari remain committed to peace, dialogue, and lawful engagement in resolving security and agricultural challenges. However, BEPU stresses that urgent government intervention is now required to prevent further escalation of violence and economic hardship in the region.
