Rather than Strengthen Amotekun, Ondo Governor Employs Private Firm To Protect Farmers

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has employed the services of a private security firm to protect farmers in the state against constant attacks by criminal herdsmen.

The private security firm, Global Olabod Resources Limited, was reportedly employed to guard the state’s forests, which farmers often inhabit.

This is coming against the backdrop of constant attacks by herdsmen on farmers in part of the state. 

Last month, West Africa Weekly reported the killing of two farmers in separate attacks by herdsmen. One of the attacks in which a 15-year-old boy was killed sparked a protest by women.

Attacks on farmers by killer herdsmen have many lives in the Southwest. The casualties are higher in the Middle Belt states like Benue and Plateau.

The attacks, at its peak in 2020, informed the establishment of a regional security outfit, Amotekun, and a ban on Open grazing by State governors in the region.

However, these attacks continue as the Amotekun corps is underfunded and ill-equipped, while the ban on open grazing of cattle is not enforced.

In July, herdsmen attacked and overpowered Amotekun personnel in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo, injuring many of them.

Rather than adequately fund and equip Amotekun personnel, the State Governor spent public funds on employing a private security firm.

Many farmers, not only in Ondo but across the Southwest and Middle Belt, have fled their farmlands for fear of being killed or kidnapped. The situation has contributed to Nigeria’s food crisis.

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Oluwatobi Odeyinka

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