OYO: Makinde deploys 100 Amotekun operatives to Ibarapaland over host community-herdsmen crisis

THE government has deployed 200 operatives of the Oyo State Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Amotekun to the crisis-torn Ibarapa Local Government Area of the state.

This decision was contained in a statement issued by Governor Seyi Makinde on Wednesday.

The statement said the decision was taken after a meeting with stakeholders and security agencies in Ibarapaland.

In a statement on Wednesday, Governor Seyi Makinde said the deployment of Amotekun Corps followed a meeting with security agencies and stakeholders in the crisis-torn area.

The governor maintained that the aim of the strategy is to rid the forests in the state of criminals.

He said, “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.

“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.”

The Ibarapaland has been embroiled recently in crisis purportedly caused by suspicion of the indigenes of the area that Fulani herdsmen are behind all manner of crimes ranging from kidnappings, killings, rape to invasion of farmlands with their cattle in the area.