The Kwara state Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Friday disclosed that its agro-rangers unit successfully resolved 196 cases of farmers, herders’ conflicts over the past one year.
The Command made the disclosure in a statement by its Public Relations Officer (CDPRO), an assistant superintendent of corps (ASC 1), Ayoola Shola, in Ilorin on Friday.
The statement indicated that the feat was in line with the mandate given to the agro-rangers unit of the Corps “to boost food security by providing protection to farmers against malicious destruction of their farmlands, as well as addressing farmer-herder clashes.”
Ayoola quoted the Kwara NSCDC commandant, Dr. Umar Muhammed, as saying “the Agro Rangers personnel have been trained and certified in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, allowing them to effectively mediate conflicts between itinerant herders and sedentary farmers across all 16 local government areas.”
The statement read in part, “These efforts have significantly reduced farmer-herder and other communal clashes in the state.
“Additionally, commandant Umar emphasized that the agro rangers have been providing security to state-owned, corporate, and individual farmers, as well as protecting farmlands across the state.
“He (commandant) cited the strategic deployment of NSCDC personnel at Shonga Farm in Edu local government area as a key example of their commitment. Additionally, peasant farmers and agro-allied industries in the state are supported through continuous surveillance and routine patrols of agrarian communities.
“Commandant Umar reaffirmed the Corps’ unwavering commitment to safeguarding the agricultural sector, ensuring the protection of both farmers and their investments, and promoting sustainable growth within the state.”
