This was contained in a 2021 report titled, “Hunger Hotspots, FAO-WFP Early Warnings on Acute Food Insecurity: March To July 2021 Outlook.”

The report which serves as an early warning to 20 countries recognised as hotspots, creates awareness of the possibility of the country’s population being at a high risk of acute food insecurity.

According to the report, Nigeria is faced with several issues such as an expanding revolt and inter-communal strife, which has led to multiple displacements and destruction of livelihoods, worsening the possibility of food insecurity.

“In the conflict-affected areas of Northern Nigeria, the situation is extremely concerning given the marked deterioration of food security conditions despite the recent harvest,” the report stated.

The report highlights that the majority of people with critical food insecurity are in Borno State, as a result of heavy humanitarian access constraints and ongoing conflict.

Some of the localities of extreme concern include Abadam, Dikwa, Guzamala, Kukawa and Marte, as well as other only-partially accessible garrison towns.

Stating further, the report affirmed that about 13 million people will encounter acute food insecurity across 15 states in northern Nigeria by August 2021.

As stated in the report, “Across 15 states in northern Nigeria, nearly 13 million people are expected to face crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity in the next lean season (June to August 2021), up from 9.2 million between October and December 2020.

“This marks a steady trend of serious deterioration, having risen from 8.7 million in mid-2020. Of the 13 million, 3.9 million are projected to be in the northeast and 5 million in the northwest, where there is little humanitarian presence,” the report read in part.