The commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Abdusalam Abubakar, has said criminal suspects attacked and destroyed crops on over 50 farmlands in Plateau and Kaduna States between April and May.

Mr Abubakar, also the General Officer Commanding, 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Rukuba, near Jos, said this at a seminar in Jos on Tuesday.

OPSH is a special task force established to maintain peace and stability in Plateau and parts of Bauchi and Kaduna States.

The commander said that during the period under review, the division recorded over 20 cases of attacks on cattle.

Mr Abubakar said the seminar, tagged ”Peaceful Coexistence: Panacea for a Successful Farming Season,” aimed to ensure food security in the country.

He said: ”Between April and May alone, we have recorded over 50 cases of destruction of crops on farmlands in Plateau and Kaduna States.

”In the same period, we recorded 20 attacks on cattle, and in one of the instances, over 280 cows were killed.

”The government is worried over the rising food insecurity in the country, so farmers and herders must come together to find a lasting solution to the persistent clashes in communities.”

Mr Abubakar said the agricultural sector remains critical to the country’s overall development, hence the need for farming and herding to take place side-by-side.

He called on the people to desist from the night and the use of underage grazing, cow poisoning and the deliberate destruction of crops on farmlands.

The commander said such unwholesome practices were largely responsible for the rising cases of conflict in communities.

Mr Abubakar warned that anyone caught destroying farmlands and cows would face the full wrath of the law.

He also called on residents of the affected states to support security agencies in their bid to end all forms of insecurity in the area.

(NAN)