Gov Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has called for the immediate arrest of the chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Kiyawa Local Government Area, Isyaku Katanga, for allegations bordering on extortion.
Namadi gave the order when he paid an unscheduled visit to inputs distribution centres of the 2025 wheat farming programme at Kiyawa and Birninkudu local government areas.
This development comes after some farmers accused the AFAN chairman of illegally increasing the amount to be paid by each farmer.
According to the governor: “We received complaints of alleged extortion of money from farmers. We will not accept this and whoever is involved must refund it back to farmers.”
Namadi subsequently ordered the police to arrest and investigate the suspect and ensure that they retrieve the money collected from the farmers.
He also pledged to ensure that the full package is given to the registered farmers as directed by the Federal Government.
Governor Namadi expressed concern for the delay and poor arrangements by agro-dealers assigned to distribute farm inputs to dry-season wheat farmers in the state.
He, therefore, called on the stakeholders to ensure that registered farmers received their allocation in good time so that they could start early preparation for dry-season wheat farming.
