In response to the recent spike in farmer-herder violence, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has instructed the state’s security outfit, Amotekun, to establish a specialized Forest Rangers unit. The goal is to curb the ongoing killings, abductions, and other criminal activities plaguing the state.
Chief Adetunji Adeleye, Commander of Amotekun, announced this during a briefing in Akure. He explained that the new unit, named ‘Amot Rangers,’ will specifically target the persistent killings of farmers by suspected herdsmen and will work to prevent kidnappings in the state’s border towns and along major roads.
The Forest Rangers will operate from six newly established control points within the state’s forests, focusing on areas bordering Edo, Kogi, Kwara, and Ekiti states. These rangers will be stationed in the forests to monitor and manage the activities of miscreants, aiming to eliminate criminal elements and dismantle their camps.
“We are executing the governor’s directives under the Ondo State Livestock and Grazing Regulations and the Establishment of Ranch Law 2021, as amended, which tasks the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, with overseeing and enforcing peaceful relations between farmers, herders, and forest inhabitants,” Adeleye stated.
The Ondo State Security Network has already conducted a thorough sweep of the four local governments in Akoko over the past 72 hours, successfully driving out miscreants. Adeleye emphasized that Ondo State will not serve as a haven for terrorists or those with malicious intent.
“No matter how remote the forest areas are, we are determined to ensure the safety of lives and property. As part of this effort, the governor has approved the reinforcement of two existing control posts and the creation of four new ones, bringing the total to six. These posts will be manned by specially trained Amotekun Rangers dedicated to curbing criminal activities,” Adeleye noted.
Addressing challenges in enforcing the anti-open grazing law, Adeleye acknowledged difficulties but assured that measures are being implemented to address these issues. “Our ultimate goal is to allow farmers to work without fear while ensuring that herders can conduct their business without infringing on the rights of farmers,” he added.
Adeleye also reported a decline in the number of suspects paraded due to continuous 24-hour patrols by the Ondo State Security Network Agency. He revealed that three men had been arrested for murdering Okada riders and stealing their motorcycles, and in another incident, two individuals were apprehended after attempting to kill security personnel guarding a petroleum product. The weapons used in these crimes have been recovered and are now in police custody.
