Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has inaugurated 480 Amotekun forest rangers in a bid to tackle kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state.
Makinde inaugurated the personnel on Monday in Iseyin town.
The governor, while speaking, promised that his government will continue to prioritise the security of lives and property in the state.
Makinde said further that plans are underway to establish airstrips in Igbeti and Otu towns.
He added that the state government will also provide aircraft security gadgets to support and enhance security surveillance activities in the state.
The governor, who spoke at the passing-out parade of the 480 Amotekun Corps forest rangers, declared that he would approve hardship allowance for the corps.
He said: “Since assuming office in 2019, we have continued to invest heavily to secure Oyo State by supporting our security agencies to carry out their duties efficiently and effectively. But we knew that more needed to be done to secure more lives and property. You will agree with me that one of the biggest achievements in security was the creation and operationalisation of the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Amotekun by governors of the South-West states.
“Even though Oyo Amotekun only commenced operation in November 2020, we cannot imagine Oyo State without them. This is how important they have become to our security architecture over the years. We recognised that there was more to be done to address kidnapping, banditry and other illegal activities in our forests and this is what led to the initiative to establish forest rangers as a sub-unit of Amotekun in 25 local government areas, with about 480 recruits out of the 561 passing out today.
“These rangers are to work within the forests in their local government areas alongside other stakeholders and other community groups. Their task is to secure our farmers and other people engaged in commercial activities. They are also to preserve our natural resources in our forests and to prevent illegal activities.
“These additional Oyo Amotekun recruits passing out today will increase the number of Amotekun to 2,500 corps members. Let me once again restate our commitment to providing all that is required to ensure that Oyo Amotekun can deliver on its mandate. We will continue to provide the equipment needed and a monthly operational grant to ensure smooth operations.”
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