The Agbekoya Society of Nigeria, a Yoruba association comprising farmers and hunters, has announced that a security force of approximately 4,000 personnel has been deployed with the aim of safeguarding farmers in the Southwest.
Chief Kamorudeen Okikiola, the Aare (President-General) of Agbekoya worldwide, disclosed this during a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday while stating plans for the society’s 85th-anniversary celebration.
Recall that Southwest governors, the Oni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other Yoruba leaders and farmers, will attend the anniversary scheduled to hold on 26th November.
Chief Okikiola, emphasized the crucial role the Agbekoya association plays in sustaining the nation’s food supply.
He noted the association’s continuous efforts to eliminate factors that might discourage farmers from tending to their fields, assuring that security in farms has greatly improved.
According to him, “Today, Agbekoya is still leading as the biggest farmers’ association in Nigeria since 1938 and we will continue to provide security for our farmers.
“Agbekoya has done a lot for farmers and this has helped in feeding the nation. We have tried our best to eradicate anything that can make our farmers run away from farms.
“Security in farms is relatively good now. We have done a lot in protecting farmers and their farms. We have put up several measures to ensure security for farmers.”
Speaking further, he noted that as an association comprising both farmers and hunters, Agbekoya has established executive councils and security wings across all towns in Yoruba land.
“We have decimated cases of kidnapping, clashes in our towns and farms. If you see any, they are very few.
“This is because our security arm swings into action in case of any hitch anywhere. We have about 4000 security personnel for farmers’ protection in the southwest alone,” he noted.
The Aare asserted that the security situation that forced many people to vacate farms for the city has been duly addressed.