Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has engaged the services of a private security firm, Global Olabod Resources Limited, to further strengthen the security of the state, particularly to protect farmers in the state’s forest reserves.

The firm would be collaborating with the state security network agency — Amotekun Corps, and other security agencies in ensuring that the hoodlums are flushed out of the forest reserves.

Speaking during a security awareness tour to the Idanre Local Government Area of the state on Saturday, the security company’s Chairman, Mr Eniola Ogunbodede, explained that the motive of the state government was to address the outcry of farmers across the state who were being threatened by hoodlums on their farmlands.

Ogunbodede, represented by the company’s Operation Manager, Mr Debo Ariyo, stated that the state governor had deemed it fit to combat hunger in the state by dealing with the inability to produce enough food for the populace as a result of incessant attacks on farmers.

He said, “The state governor (Aiyedatiwa) wants food to be available for all in the state; 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 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 the 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 enjoined the farmers who were yet to register to do the needful to enable them to cultivate in forest reserves across the state.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Farmers’ Association, Mr Solomon Akinwole, lauded the state government for taking a bold step in tackling kidnapping and attack on farmers in the state, by engaging the firm.

In his comments, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Security, Mr Gbenga Atiba, said the firm was engaged to enumerate the farmers in the state’s forest reserves to know the registered farmers who live in the forest reserves.

He noted that they would work with other security agencies to carry out the assignment.

He said, “The company is engaged to enumerate the farmers living in the forest reserves. We want to flush out hoodlums that do attack them in collaboration with Amotekun and other security agencies in the state. If we do this, there would be surplus food because farmers would go to their farms without any fear or threat.”

Credit: punchng.com