In response to the recent surge in farmer-herder violence, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has directed the state security outfit, Amotekun, to establish a specialized unit of forest rangers.
This move aims to put an end to the ongoing killings, abductions, and other criminal activities affecting the state.
Chief Adetunji Adeleye, Commander of Amotekun, disclosed this during a briefing in Akure. He noted that this initiative is targeted at addressing the persistent killings of farmers by suspected herdsmen and preventing kidnappings in the state’s border towns and roads.
Adeleye explained that the creation of the ‘Amot Rangers’ unit would be crucial in eradicating criminals from the forests and dismantling their camps. This specialized unit within the Amotekun Corps will help purge the coastal state of criminal elements.
The rangers will operate from six newly established control points within the state’s forests, particularly in areas bordering Edo, Kogi, Kwara, and Ekiti states. These rangers will reside in the forests to monitor and manage the activities of miscreants causing unrest in the region.
“We are executing the governor’s directives pursuant to the Ondo State Livestock and Grazing Regulations and the Establishment of Ranch Law 2021, as amended, which mandates the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, to oversee and enforce a peaceful relationship between farmers, herders, and forest inhabitants,” Adeleye stated.
“In response to the governor’s directives, we are immediately establishing six major control points for a special unit of the Amotekun Corps, code-named ‘Amot Rangers.’ These control points will be strategically placed around the troubled borders with Edo, Kogi, Kwara, and Ekiti states,” he added.
According to him, the Ondo State Security Network conducted a thorough search of the four local governments in Akoko in the past 72 hours, successfully driving out miscreants. He claimed that the miscreants fled before the team arrived, indicating that Ondo State is not a safe haven for terrorists or those with malicious intent.
“No matter how deep the forestry area, we remain resolute in ensuring the safety of lives and property. Consequently, the governor has approved the reinforcement of two existing control posts in the forest and the establishment of four additional ones, making a total of six.
These will be manned by specially trained Amotekun Rangers whose sole responsibility is to curb the nefarious activities of these miscreants,” Adeleye noted.
Addressing the challenges related to enforcing the anti-open grazing law, the commander acknowledged, “We face several challenges in enforcing the anti-open grazing law, but we are implementing measures to address these issues. Our ultimate goal is for farmers to work without fear while herders conduct their business without infringing on the rights of farmers.”
Adeleye also mentioned that the reduction in the number of suspects paraded is largely due to continuous 24-hour patrols by the Ondo State Security Network Agency. He revealed that three men had been apprehended for murdering Okada riders and stealing their motorcycles.
In another case, two individuals were arrested after attempting to kill security personnel guarding a petroleum product. The weapons used by these suspects have been recovered and are now in police custody.