Aiyedatiwa introduces forest rangers to address farmer-herder clashesAugust 21, 2024

By Adedoja Adesoji

The Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has launched new forest rangers unit to mediate farmers-herded disputes in the state.

The Governor directed the state’s security organization, Amotekun, to create the special security unit.

The innovation aims at curbing violence, kidnappings, and other crimes in Ondo state.

Recall, consecutive attacks occurred in the state last month which resulted to numerous abductions and murders of farmers in various communities across the state.

Due to these attaks, many farmers have abandoned their farmland, and women in some affected areas have staged half-naked protests to express their frustration over the increasing criminal activities.

In a statement with the press in Akure, Amotekun Commander Chief Adetunji Adeleye revealed that the governor has ordered the formation of a unit within Amotekun, known as Amot Rangers, to address the frequent attacks on farmers by suspected herdsmen and to prevent kidnappings along the state’s border towns and roads.

Adeleye further said: “The creation of the Amot Rangers unit within the Amotekun Corps is intended to rid the coastal state of criminal elements.

“This unit will operate from six newly established control points within the state’s forests, covering areas near the borders with Edo, Kogi, Kwara, and Ekiti states. They will reside in the forests to manage the activities of troublemakers in the state.

“Following the governor’s directives, we are setting up six major control points for the special Amot Rangers unit.

“These control points will be strategically placed along the troubled borders with Edo, Kogi, Kwara, and Ekiti states. In the past 72 hours, our personnel have thoroughly searched the four local governments in Akoko, successfully driving out the miscreants.

“The miscreants even fled before our team arrived. This demonstrates that Ondo State is not a safe haven for terrorists or individuals with malicious intentions.

“As a result, the Governor has approved the reinforcement of two existing control posts and the establishment of an additional four, bringing the total to six.”

Regarding the reduction in the number of suspects being paraded, Adeleye commented: “The decrease in suspects can largely be attributed to the 24-hour patrols conducted by the Ondo State Security Network Agency.”