The heart-wrenching reality in many of our rural communities is that farmers, the very backbone of our food security, are increasingly living in fear. The threat of kidnapping has cast a dark shadow over agricultural activities, making the essential act of going to the farm a perilous journey. At AyosifamHub, we understand this profound anxiety, and while we continue to advocate for robust government intervention, we also believe in empowering our farmers with practical knowledge to enhance their personal safety.
It’s a tragic paradox that those who feed us are themselves at risk. The economic impact of this insecurity is immense, leading to reduced farm output as farmers abandon their lands or limit their activities. More importantly, the human cost of fear and trauma is immeasurable. This blog post aims to offer actionable advice on how farmers can protect themselves from kidnapping and other forms of insecurity while on their farms.
Understanding the Threat
Kidnappers often target isolated individuals or small groups, looking for opportunities where they can operate with minimal resistance and escape routes are clear. They may conduct surveillance to understand patterns of movement. Being aware of these tactics is the first step in self-protection.
Proactive Safety Measures: Before You Go to the Farm
Vary Your Routine: Avoid predictability. Don’t go to the farm at the exact same time every day, or use the same route consistently. Vary your schedule and your path to make it harder for potential abductors to anticipate your movements.
Go in Groups: There is safety in numbers. Whenever possible, go to the farm with family members, fellow farmers, or trusted hired hands. A larger group is a less attractive target.
Inform Someone of Your Whereabouts: Always let a trusted family member, neighbour, or community leader know where you are going, your estimated time of return, and the route you plan to take. Agree on a check-in time.
Carry a Communication Device: Ensure your phone is fully charged and has airtime. Have emergency contacts saved and readily accessible. In areas with poor network coverage, consider alternative communication methods if available and practical.
Assess the Security Situation: Before heading out, try to get information about the general security situation in your area. Listen to local news, community alerts, and talk to neighbours. If there have been recent incidents, exercise extreme caution or consider postponing your trip if possible.
Avoid Displaying Wealth: Do not wear expensive jewellery, carry large sums of cash, or openly display valuable gadgets that could make you an attractive target.
While On the Farm: Vigilance and Preparedness
Maintain Situational Awareness: Be constantly aware of your surroundings. Look for unfamiliar faces, vehicles, or any unusual activity. Trust your instincts; if something feels off, it probably is.
Identify Safe Havens/Escape Routes: Know your farm and its surroundings. Identify potential hiding spots, alternative paths, or nearby friendly homesteads where you could seek refuge if threatened.
Minimize Isolation: If working alone is unavoidable, try to stay within sight or shouting distance of other farmers or active areas. Periodically move around your farm rather than staying in one very remote spot for too long.
Avoid Late Hours: Try to complete your farm work and leave well before dusk. Darkness provides cover for criminal elements.
Develop a “What If” Plan: Mentally rehearse what you would do if confronted. This isn’t about fighting, but about quick thinking – identifying an escape route, knowing who to call, or how to signal for help.
Community Engagement: A Collective Shield
Individual measures are important, but a united community is the strongest defence.
Community Watch Groups: Establish or strengthen local security vigilante groups or community watch initiatives. These groups, working in conjunction with legitimate law enforcement, can patrol farm roads and areas, sharing intelligence and responding to threats.
Share Information: Create a reliable system for sharing security information amongst farmers. A community alert system (e.g., a WhatsApp group) can quickly disseminate warnings about suspicious activities or potential threats.
Advocate for Security: Continuously engage with local authorities, traditional rulers, and government representatives to demand increased security presence and effective strategies to tackle kidnapping in rural areas.
Conclusion
No farmer should have to choose between their livelihood and their life. While we relentlessly call for the government to fulfill its primary duty of protecting lives and property, we also empower our farmers with the knowledge to safeguard themselves. By adopting these proactive measures, farmers can reduce their vulnerability and increase their chances of staying safe. Let’s work together, support one another, and insist on a future where our farms are places of peace and productivity, not fear.
