The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Oyo State has called for improved intelligence sharing and coordinated security operations among agencies to tackle kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities threatening rural communities.

The State Commandant, Augustine Padonu, made the call while receiving members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, during a courtesy visit to his office in Ibadan.

Padonu expressed concern about criminal groups operating in forested areas, warning that security challenges required stronger collaboration among security agencies, community leaders, journalists and government authorities.

He said improved intelligence sharing and coordinated operations were necessary to prevent criminals from exploiting boundaries between states and to strengthen efforts to protect lives and property.

The commandant disclosed that the NSCDC had deployed Agro-Rangers to farming settlements and rural communities across Oyo State to protect farmers, secure agricultural activities and reduce threats to rural livelihoods.

According to him, the corps has established operational bases in rural areas, especially farming communities, and is considering expanding the presence of Agro-Rangers in strategic locations to improve security coverage in vulnerable areas.

Padonu said the command had more than 2,000 personnel, 78 divisional offices and 11 area commands across the state, with specialised units deployed to address different security challenges.

He added that the Counter-Terrorism Unit was also involved in security operations as part of efforts to improve the command’s response to criminal activities.

The commandant said the NSCDC was working with other security agencies and the state government’s security adviser to address security concerns in different parts of Oyo State.

He urged stakeholders to support security initiatives, particularly in rural communities where farmers and other residents could be vulnerable to criminal attacks.

Padonu also emphasised the importance of responsible journalism in security reporting, urging media practitioners to verify information before publication.

“There is nothing any agency can do without journalists. We cannot blow our own trumpet; you are the ones who will do that for us,” he said, acknowledging the media’s role in informing the public about security operations.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Yinka Adeniran of The Nation, said the delegation visited the command to appreciate the contributions of NSCDC personnel to security operations in the state.

Adeniran particularly commended the corps’ role in efforts to secure the return of abducted victims in Orire Local Government Area, saying journalists who covered developments surrounding the incident had witnessed the efforts of security personnel.

He urged the command to sustain its engagement with the media by providing information on its operations and achievements.

He said the chapel would continue to support public awareness of security initiatives through its reporting and planned to recognise the command during its press week in November.