The report added that the most vulnerable victims would be residents of the Northwest and the Northeast regions of the country.

A report recently published by SB Morgen Intelligence has predicted that over 26 million Nigerians will experience acute food scarcity between the period of June and August 2024.

The report added that the most vulnerable victims would be residents of the Northwest and the Northeast regions of the country.

The report reads: “Nearly 26.5 million people—approximately 11.5 percent of Nigeria’s estimated population—are likely to experience Crisis— Phase 3—or worse conditions of acute food insecurity during the peak of the country’s upcoming June-to-August 2024 lean season, the period when food is most scarce.

“This projection includes nearly 5.4 million people in Nigeria’s Northwest states of Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara and nearly 4.4 million people in the country’s Northeastern Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.”

According to the report, the predicted food scarcity is an effect of the escalating extortion tactics employed by bandits, particularly the imposition of pre-harvest fees on local farmers in the region, which has affected farmers’ productivity in recent times.

The report continued: “Unlike imposing a fixed rate, bandits charge levies based on harvest volume, increasing the financial burden on farmers striving to break even.

“This form of extortion, akin to taxation, hinges on territorial control. As bandits seek greater control of territories and revenue streams, they may instigate territorial disputes and clashes among themselves and with local communities and security forces.

“Consequently, farming, once a major source of livelihood for many villagers, risks losing its appeal due to heavy taxation. Many local farmers may abandon farming altogether in pursuit of alternative means of sustenance.

“This potential shift could embolden bandit groups to seize additional territory, further criminalising farming practices and jeopardising food security.”