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.
This is contained in a statement signed by the state’s chairman Auwal Garba Ibrahim.
The statement distances itself from individuals or groups involved in the fraudulent activities across the state.
“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.”
According to the statement, AFAN does not charge farmers for any services or support programs provided by the Federal or State Governments or any organization.
“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.”
The statement condemns the illegal activity, stating, that the syndicate involved in this extortion scheme are not legitimate representatives of the association in any capacity.
“We urge farmers and the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to local authorities and our office.”
It assures 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 statement urges 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 acknowledges 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.
It pledges to provide transparent and ethical assistance to farmers, free of charge, in support of the agricultural community’s needs.
