…orders documentation of foreigners in the state
…regular dialogues and strict enforcement of grazing laws to be adopted
…says compensation for victims of farmland destruction underway
By Idris Salisu
Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has disclosed that 200 operatives of the Oyo State Security Network Agency, alias Amotekun Corps, will be deployed to forests in the state to rid them of criminals who undertake kidnapping/banditry, especially in the Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun zones.
The Governor announced this as part of measures his government is taking to address issues of criminal trespass and damage by Hausa/Fulani pastoralists, kidnapping and banditry and other crimes in Ibarapaland and Oke-Ogun axis of the state.
He said in a statement signed by him and made available to newsmen in Ibadan, that foreigners would be documented as part of the measures, alongside regular dialogue among stakeholders and strict enforcement of existing laws.
Makinde also revealed that the measures were reached after a meeting of the state government with representatives of Igangan, Ibarapaland and security stakeholders, including the recently appointed Commissioner of Police, Oyo State, Mrs. Ngozi Onadeko.
The statement said, “These operatives will launch missions to rid the forests of criminals. They will be presenting daily reports of the activities to the Governor in the short run and periodic reports in the long run.”
The Governor also said that his administration would adopt continuous dialogue as one of the measures aimed at ending insecurity in Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun axes.
“In the next few weeks, the government will hold town hall meetings and community outreaches, bringing together residents and security agencies to talk about issues of immediate concern and how they can be resolved through dialogue and more effective community policing,” he disclosed.
He said, “As stated in an earlier press conference, the government will be proceeding with the documentation of foreigners, especially those who are working in mines.
“This will ensure that only foreigners who have legitimate interests in Oyo State will remain within our territory.
“The government will continue to enforce the Oyo State Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law, 2019. This law also regulates the activities of herdsmen in Oyo State.
“The authorities have directed the Amotekun Corps to continue collaborating with ‘Operation Burst’ and local vigilante groups in enforcing this law.
You will recall that in the security meeting of South West governors and other stakeholders two days ago, it was agreed that open grazing be banned in the entire South West zone.”
Another measure contained in the security strategy as made public by the Governor is the decision to further collaborate with federal security agencies operating in the state.
Makinde said that the Oyo State Government “will continue to support the police and other federal security agencies posted to the state in the discharge of their duties.”
While acknowledging that some farmers have been killed and/or lost their livelihoods to criminal trespass and damage by pastoralists, the Governor said the State Executive Council is considering the possibility of compensation payments to families of victims or victims of such criminality who can prove their claims.
He also declared that the state government had started the process of prosecuting all suspects arrested for criminal activities in Ibarapa and the Oke-Ogun zones of the state, especially in connection with the ongoing tensions in the area.