Quelea birds and grasshoppers have reportedly destroyed farm produce worth millions of naira in twelve villages of Illela Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

This is according to  the Chairman of the council Abdullahi Haruna.

Haruna told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto that the swarms had been attacking farms in the area in the last two weeks.

The chairman listed the affected villages as Gati, Mallamawa, Diboni, Runguwar Ja’o, Bakin Dutse, Gidan Kirya, Araba, Mullela, Sonane, Runji, Tumbulukun and Munwadata.

He stated that farmers in the affected areas had lost their produce, mostly millet, guinea corn, beans, groundnut, rice, onions, cabbage, garlic and other vegetables.

Abdullahi however disclosed that the local government had commenced assessment of losses recorded in order to render assistance to the affected farmers.