The residents of Dikwa town in Borno State marched on the streets yesterday to protest against hunger caused by the recent increase in the prices of essential goods.
Videos showed hundreds of women and children expressing their distress, citing hunger and thirst as major concerns.
Witnesses reported that the community is facing a double tragedy due to the inability to access farmlands and severe food shortages.
A government source revealed that Dikwa town is experiencing food shortages due to the collapse of livelihoods following the Boko Haram crisis, which has disrupted economic activities in the area.
The dire situation has led some residents to consider joining insurgents out of desperation for food.
Urgent intervention from higher authorities, such as President Tinubu, is deemed necessary to address the overwhelming hardships faced by the people.
There are fears that the current food crisis may undermine the peace achieved in recent years.
Residents worry that if the situation persists, some may be compelled to collaborate with or even join Boko Haram camps to alleviate their hunger.
Insurgents in the nearby bushes are reportedly enticing residents with incentives to join their ranks as a solution to their food problems.
On a national level, the National Economic Council (NEC) has taken steps to address economic challenges, including ensuring food security and affordability.
During its 139th meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the NEC discussed strategies such as providing fertilizers to farmers and establishing agro-rangers to enhance security in farms.
The vice president emphasized the importance of collective efforts in overcoming economic challenges and urged state governors to adopt modern agricultural practices to boost food productivity.
In his address, Vice President Shettima stressed the need for tangible results and urged decision-makers to prioritize the concerns of ordinary citizens over economic theories.
He called for concerted efforts to safeguard the nation’s economy and address the immediate needs of the populace.
The Minister of Agriculture also highlighted the detrimental effects of the dollarization of locally produced commodities on fertilizer prices and agricultural productivity, calling for action to mitigate these challenges.
