Nigeria's President declares a state of emergency to curb food shortages and rising prices
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in the country to curb food shortages and rising prices. The government is providing fertilizers and seeds to farmers with savings from the withdrawal of fuel subsidies.
In view of the incidents of kidnapping of farmers for ransom, their security has also been increased. The new security measures will mean farmers can return to the fields "without fear of attacks".
All matters relating to essential food and water will now be the responsibility of the National Security Council, which is made up of the country's security chiefs and is chaired by the President. The poor population of the country is also being given assistance of $10 every month for six months.
A United Nations report in January said that 25 million people in Nigeria are at risk of food insecurity this year. According to a Nigerian website, more than 350 farmers were abducted or killed in the country by June 2022 in a year.
