Ondo State Governor Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa has enlisted the private security firm Global Olabod Resources Limited to enhance state security, with a focus on safeguarding farmers in the state’s forest reserves.
The firm will work in conjunction with the state’s security network, Amotekun, and other agencies to remove criminals from the forest areas.
During a security awareness tour of the Idanre Local Government Area on Saturday, Global Olabod Resources Limited Chairman Mr. Eniola Ogunbodede explained that the government’s initiative aims to address farmers’ concerns over threats from hoodlums on their lands.
Represented by the company’s Operations Manager, Mr. Debo Ariyo, Ogunbodede stated that the state governor had prioritized addressing hunger by tackling the issue of insufficient food production caused by frequent attacks on farmers by hoodlums.
“ The state governor (Aiyedatiwa) wants food to be available for all in the states; that is why he has to protect farmers in their farmlands across the state through us, the Global Olabod Resources Limited. We are coordinating all security agencies in the state in implementing this initiative and in achieving great success for the benefit of all and sundry.
“Mr Governor wants the farmers to have assurance that they are safe and their farms are safe as well. We have kick-started the process and that is why we are here so that we can carry you along in the full implementation of this initiative.
“We are creating this awareness and sensitisation so that farmers will not be scared when they see security personnel in their areas. We have been to Idanre Forest Reserve, Akure/Ofosu Forest Reserve and Ala Government Forest Reserve all in the Southern Senatorial District. Later, we will get to other senatorial districts as well.”
Ogunbodede urged farmers who have not yet registered to do so, allowing them to cultivate land in the forest reserves across the state.
In his remarks, Mr. Solomon Akinwole, Chairman of the Farmers’ Association in the local government, praised the state government for its decisive action in addressing kidnappings and attacks on farmers by partnering with the security firm.
“We want farmers to cooperate with the government and get their identification cards even though there is no hideout for any criminal in our forests here because we have occupied all of them, from here to Ondo boundary, from here to Akure boundary and from here to Edo State boundary,” Akinwole Mr. Jaiyeoba Akingbade, a prominent community leader, announced that the community will fully comply with the government’s directive. He expressed concern over the situation, noting that many farmers in the area have abandoned their farmlands due to fears of threats and attacks from herdsmen.
