The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Oyo State on Wednesday inaugurated an Agro Ranger Squad to check farmers-herders clashes.
Inaugurating the squad, the state NSCDC Commandant, Iskilu Akinsanya, said the squad would also tackle illegal deforestation and illegal mining.
Akinsanya said that members of the Agro Ranger Squad had undergone three months of rigorous training at its college in Kastina.
He thanked the Commandant-General of NSCDC, Abdullahi Muhammadu, for giving the state the opportunity to have the squad.
Akinsanya said members of the squad made up of 100 officers in the state were special operation troops specialized in counter-terrorism and unconventional warfare.
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“Nigeria had witnessed deadly attacks between farmers and herdsmen, especially in Benue, Plateau, Taraba, and Kaduna, among others.
“The attacks in the last three years resulted in the loss of lives and farm investments worth billions of naira, thereby threatening the country’s food sufficiency.
“These Agro Rangers are specially trained to combat kidnapping, banditry and all sorts of criminal acts, “Akinsanya said.
The commandant said that the rangers would be deployed to all silos in the state and Oyo North Senatorial District where herdsmen and farmers clashes were prevalent.
He expressed optimism that with the inauguration of the Rangers, there would be an end to herders and farmers conflicts and food insecurity.
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