Newsbreak: Ondo Governor denies hiring private security firm to protect farmers

August 03, 2024

By Samuel Ogunsona

Contrary to earlier claims, the Ondo State Government has denied engaging a private security firm to protect farmers in the state’s forest reserves.

Mr. Gbenga Atiba, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Security, made this declaration on Tuesday.

Global Olabod Resources Limited, a private security company, had previously stated that the Governor had hired them to coordinate security agencies and safeguard farmers from hoodlums on their farmlands. The company’s chairman, Mr. Eniola Ogunbodede, made this claim through his manager, Mr. Debo Ariyo, during a meeting with farmers in Idanre Local Government Area last week.

The chairman of the company, Mr Eniola Ogunbodede, through one of his managers, Mr Debo Ariyo, stated at a meeting with farmers in Idanre Local Government Area last week, “The state governor (Aiyedatiwa) wants food to be available for all in the state; that is why he has to protect farmers on their farmlands across the state through us, Global Olabod Resources Limited. We are coordinating all security agencies in the state to implement this initiative and achieve great success for the benefit of all.”

However, the state Government has now refuted this claim, leaving many to wonder about the true intentions of Global Olabod Resources Limited and their claim of working with the government to protect farmers.

The statement read, “It is important to clarify that the state government currently enjoys a strong and cooperative relationship with all security agencies, including the Armed Forces, Police, Civil Defence Corps, and the state’s homeland security unit, Amotekun. Most notably, these security agencies in the state have been performing admirably in fulfilling their duty to protect the lives and property of the state’s residents.

“The engagement of Global Olabod Resources Limited by the state government is specifically for the identification and enumeration of farmers in the state, to provide the government with accurate and reliable data. It is inappropriate for a privately-owned firm to claim or assume the role of coordinating all the security agencies in the state— especially in a state where government officials are already tasked with such responsibilities.

“Under the capable leadership of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the state government will continue to collaborate with all relevant federal security agencies to ensure the safety and security of the entire state and its inhabitants. The general public can rest assured that both federal and state security agencies will not shirk their responsibilities in safeguarding the lives and property of the people.”

The denial has raised questions about the company’s legitimacy and the actual measures being taken to ensure the safety of farmers in Ondo State.