Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
Dr Michael Adaralewa, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Commandant in Oyo State, has reiterated the corps’ commitment to prevention of clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the state.
Adaralewa stated this during his working visit to NSCDC Area “I” command, Saki, on Tuesday.
He said that the command had made provision for establishment of its special unit, agro-ranger base, in Saki area command to mediate and address conflicts between farmers and herders.
The commandant noted that the agro-ranger special unit was established to protect farmers and their farms from attacks by armed bandits, cattle rustlers, kidnappers and other criminals.
“The agro-ranger unit also mediates between farmers and herders to prevent or resolve conflicts over grazing lands and water resources.
“We have trained and deployed over 500 agro-rangers in Oyo State to provide security for farmers and their investments.
“We have also facilitated dialogue and peace agreements between farmers and herders in various communities in the state.
“We have resolved seven farmer-herders’ clashes from January till date and brokered peace deal between them in Ago Amodu, Ifeloju and Atisbo South which resulted in cessation of hostilities and restoration of normalcy.
“Our Peace and Conflict Resolution Unit (PCRU) in all the divisions in Area “T” have been instrumental to resolving over 153 conflicts and disputes, ranging from minor neighborhood disputes, land ownership, boundary issues, marital problems to major conflicts.
“The NSCDC, Oyo State command, is not going to relent in supporting our farmers and herders in sustaining agricultural production, food security and peaceful co-existence,” he said.
The commandant urged all the stakeholders in the council area to complement government’s efforts in providing necessary supports, such as patrol vehicles and other equipment for effective operations in the area.
Also speaking, Chairman of Saki-West Local Government Council, Mr Sarafadeen Omirinde, commended NSCDC for its pro-activeness in addressing security issues in the council area.
Omirinde expressed his administration’s readiness to cooperate and make necessary provisions to ensure smooth operations of NSCDC’s agro-ranger unit within the council area.
Earlier, the Okere of Saki, Oba Khalid Oyeniyi, urged the corps to ensure that indigenes of the town benefit more from its future recruitments.
The royal father, who was represented by High Chief Amos Olaoye, called for the posting of NSCDC personnel to their local areas of origin.
According to him, their familiarity with the terrain will facilitate effective discharge of their duties.
A representative of Saki community and its environs, Mr Haruna Egbinola, in his remarks, expressed their readiness to cooperate with NSCDC to achieve peaceful co-existence in the area.
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