Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has approached the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for the service of Agro Rangers to secure farmers in the state and to protect all forms of investment in the agricultural sector.
The governor made the request during a visit to the Commandant General of the NSCDC Abdullahi Gana Mohammed at the National headquarters of the Corps in Abuja.
In his address, Obaseki rated the Corps very high in terms of performance, especially for the initiative of establishing the Agro rangers at a time when the Agricultural sector is threatened by high level of insecurity.
He expressed confidence in the Corps which, according to him, has continued to distinguish itself among other security agencies in the country.
The Governor commended the Commandant General for providing good leadership for the Corps, which has continued to impress him in many ways, most especially for stimulating patriotic zeal in the Corps personnel as exemplified during the recent joint training program organized for all security agencies (JTF) in Edo state.
He emphasized that beyond providing protection for their forest; especially this rainy season, which is associated with all sorts of criminalities and attacks such as terrorism and kidnapping of farmers, the engagement of the Corps Agro rangers, will boost farmer’s confidence and encourage more people to go back to their farms.
Obaseki said plans are underway to set up the forest guard in partnership with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps as a means of reinforcing security within the Agricultural sector and protecting the forest from saboteurs.
Obaseki applauds the effort of the Edo State Commandant for a very good working relationship with the state government especially in terms of providing timely security reports.
He stated that the proposed forest guard to be established by the state would be trained by the Civil Defence Corps to support the state government’s effort in promoting internal security and alleviating fears among farmers and other investors in the sector.
Receiving the governor, the NSCDC boss Abdullahi Gana commended him for this laudable initiative, noting that the era of COVID 19 pandemic necessitates that greater emphasis be placed on agriculture and food sufficiency to cater for Nigerians.
He said the NSCDC is poised to support the government in ensuring adequate food production and supply while also providing physical security.
The CG described the proposed establishment of forest guard as a welcome development in the face of current reality and assures the governor of his total support.
Abdullahi thanked the governor for assisting the Corps with the expanse of land provided to build its state headquarters and the donation of operational vehicles to ease performance of its mandate.
The Agro Rangers Unit of the Corps was established in 2016, after a high powered meeting between the CG, the then Minister of Interior and former Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe, on the need to protect agricultural investment.
