FG raises alarm on imminent famine over invasion of quelea birds, locusts

Federal Government yesterday warned of an imminent food crisis if the quelea birds, locusts and grasshoppers gathering up in Niger Republic are allowed to enter into Nigeria.

This is as commissioners of agriculture for Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto and Jigawa states confirmed the presence of the birds in two, six, seven and six local government areas in the northern states, respectively.

Audu Ogbeh, minister of agriculture and rural development, gave the warning at an emergency meeting with state commissioners of agriculture in 12 states in the country on Monday night in Abuja.

 Ogbeh also stated that if the quelea birds and locusts as well as grasshoppers were allowed to enter into Nigeria, they would do terrible damage to the farms.

According to Ogbeh, Nigeria is already facing maize crisis, and if the birds were added to the crisis, the country would be in turmoil; “There is warning that we have received that locusts and quelea birds are massing up in Niger Republic from where they normally attack us in Nigeria.

“We know how dangerous quelea birds can be and locusts. If they arrive within hours and days, they would ‎have wiped out everything the farmers would have put in the field.

“We already have maize crisis. We may have food problems if we are attacked. This country would be in turmoil. We can’t afford that. We must have an emergency team between you and ourselves to tackle these issues very swiftly.

“Now we know they will come. We have to design a strategy where chemicals are available in all the states and contingency steps can be taken quickly.”

He said President Muhammadu Buhari had directed the ministry to find solutions to the problem.