By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed Agro-Rangers to farming settlements and rural communities across Oyo state to strengthen security and protect farmers against attacks and other criminal activities, the state commandant, Augustine Padonu, has said.
Padonu disclosed this while receiving the executive members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, during a courtesy visit to his office in Ibadan.
He said the Corps has established operational bases in rural areas, particularly farming communities, as part of efforts to protect agricultural activities, safeguard farmers and reduce security threats affecting rural livelihoods.
According to him, the Command is also considering expanding the presence of Agro-Rangers in strategic locations to improve security coverage and address emerging threats in vulnerable communities.
The commandant explained that the NSCDC 2,000 personnel, 78 divisional offices and 11 area commands across Oyo state, with specialised units deployed to respond to different security challenges.
He said the Corps’ Counter-Terrorism Unit was also involved in security operations, adding that the deployment of specialised teams was intended to strengthen the command’s response to criminal activities across the state.
Padonu stressed the need for security agencies to work collectively with journalists, community leaders and government authorities to address kidnapping, banditry and other security threats.
He expressed concern about the activities of criminal groups operating in forested areas and called for improved intelligence sharing and coordinated operations to prevent criminals from exploiting boundaries between states.
The Commandant also said the command was working with other security agencies and the state government’s security adviser to address security concerns in different parts of Oyo state.
He urged stakeholders to support efforts to protect lives and property, particularly in rural communities where farmers and other residents could be vulnerable to criminal attacks.
Padonu further emphasised the importance of responsible journalism in security reporting, urging media practitioners to verify information before publication.
“There is nothing any agency can do without journalists. We cannot blow our own trumpet; you are the ones who will do that for us,” he said, acknowledging the media’s role in informing the public about security operations.
Earlier, the chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Yinka Adeniran, said the delegation visited the command to appreciate the contributions of NSCDC personnel to security operations in the state, particularly their role in efforts to secure the return of abducted victims in Orire Local Government Area.
According to Adeniran, journalists who covered developments surrounding the incident had witnessed the efforts of security personnel and considered it important to acknowledge their sacrifices.
He commended the command for its activities and encouraged it to sustain its engagement with the media by providing information about its operations and achievements.
The chairman also praised the command’s reported outreach under the Safe School Initiative, saying the reported coverage of about 65,000 students demonstrated the importance of security awareness in educational institutions.
He added that the Chapel would continue to support public awareness of security initiatives through its reporting and planned to recognise the command during its press week in November.
