By Ahmed Rufa’i Dutse
The Jigawa State Chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has raised concerns over the rising number of criminals impersonating the association and extorting money from farmers under the guise of registering them for agricultural support programs from both the Federal and State governments.
In a statement issued and signed by the state’s chairman, Engineer Auwal Garba Ibrahim, the association distanced itself from individuals or groups involved in the fraudulent activities across the state.
The statement reads, “It has come to our attention that certain unscrupulous individuals are falsely representing themselves as leaders or agents of AFAN, Jigawa State Chapter. These impostors have been approaching farmers, claiming they are entitled to collect fees or payments for services related to the ongoing agricultural programs initiated by the Federal Government and the Jigawa State government.”
The AFAN chairman clarified, “We want to make it clear that the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Jigawa State Chapter, does not charge farmers for any services or support programs provided by the Federal or State Governments or any organization.”
Engineer Auwal Garba Ibrahim strongly condemned the illegal activity, stating, “The syndicate involved in this extortion scheme are not legitimate representatives of our association in any capacity. We urge farmers and the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to local authorities and our office.”
He further assured the public that AFAN had launched an investigation into the matter and was working closely with law enforcement agencies to bring the culprits to justice.
The association urged farmers to only engage with legitimate officials through verified communication channels, including official phone numbers and email addresses, to avoid falling victim to such fraudulent activities.
The statement also acknowledged the efforts of Jigawa State Governor Malam Umar Namadi, commending his visits to distribution centers across the state and his commitment to a zero-tolerance stance on criminality.
The association reiterated its pledge to provide transparent and ethical assistance to farmers, free of charge, in support of the agricultural community’s needs.