Ondo sets up ‘Amot Rangers’ to tackle farmer, herder clashes

The Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has directed the Amotekun Corps to establish rangers capable of combating the persistent clashes between farmers and herders in the state.

The Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed this on Tuesday, stating that six major control points for a special unit codenamed ‘Amot Rangers’ will be set up in border communities identified as flashpoints.

According to Adeleye, the move aligns with the Ondo State Livestock and Grazing Regulations and Establishment of Ranch Law 2021, as amended, which mandates the State Security Network Agency to oversee and enforce peaceful relations between farmers, herders, and inhabitants of the forests.

Speaking while parading nine suspected criminals at the corps’ headquarters in Alagbaka, Akure, the commander said that the ‘Amot Rangers’ will reside in the forests to monitor herders’ activities.

He said, “Today, we are parading nine suspects. They have been profiled, and necessary action has been taken against them. We are also carrying out the directives of Mr. Governor of Ondo State, Honourable Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa. These six control points span the troubled borders around Edo, Kogi, Kwara, and Ekiti states.

“In the last 72 hours, men of the Ondo State Security Network have combed every nook and cranny of the four local governments in Akoko, and we’ve successfully flushed out miscreants. They fled before our men arrived, demonstrating that Ondo State is not a haven for terrorists or individuals with ill intentions. No matter how deep into the forestry areas, we remain resolute in ensuring the safety of lives and property.

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“The Governor has approved the reinforcement of two existing control posts in the forest, with an additional four, making a total of six. These posts will be manned by specially trained Amotekun Rangers, whose sole responsibility is to check the nefarious activities of these miscreants.”

Adeleye also revealed that the nine arrested suspects were apprehended in various parts of the state for their alleged involvement in different crimes.

“One of the common security challenges in urban centers is the snatching of Okada motorcycles. A syndicate that specializes in killing Okada riders and stealing their motorcycles includes those paraded today.

“We also have two suspects who attempted to kill security men guarding petroleum products. The guns they used are on display, and the law has caught up with them.

“The decline in the number of suspects being paraded can be attributed to the 24-hour patrol, seven days a week, by men of the Ondo State Security Network Agency.”