TheCable

The Oyo state government says it deployed 200 operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun, in Ibarapa local government area of the state.

The development comes amid security issues in the state and the tension between residents of the local government area and herders living in their community.

There have been reports of killings, kidnappings, destruction of farmlands, rape, among others, alleged to have been carried out by the herders.

As a result of this, Sunday Igboho, a youth leader, issued an eviction notice to the herdsmen, sparking off tension in the state.

After Igboho’s quit notice, settlements inhabited by Fulani groups were destroyed during the mayhem that erupted in Igangan area of the state last Friday.

Cars and buildings, including the house of Salihu Abdukadir, Seriki Fulani, leader of the Fulani group, were set ablaze in the chaos.

Subsequently, a stakeholders’ meeting was held to broker peace between the Fulani and residents.

In a statement on Wednesday, Seyi Makinde, the governor, said the operatives’ mission is to rid the state’s forests of criminals, adding that they are also expected to present daily reports of their activities to him.

He said town hall meetings will be scheduled with security agencies and residents to discuss issues of immediate concern and how they can be resolved.

“Following the meeting held with representatives of Igangan, Ibarapaland which was attended by security stakeholders including the recently appointed Commissioner of Police, Oyo State, Mrs. Ngozi Onadeko, our administration has come up with a security strategy for that zone,” Makinde said.

“We have resolved to redeploy 200 members of the Oyo State Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Amotekun to kidnapping/banditry hotspots in the state, especially in the Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun zones.

“These operatives will launch missions to rid the forests of criminals. They will be presenting daily reports of their activities to me in the short run and periodic reports in the long run.

“In the next few weeks, we’ll hold town hall meetings and community outreaches, bringing together residents and security agencies to talk about any issues of immediate concern and how they can be resolved through dialogue and more effective community policing.”