Herdsmen crisis: Oyo station 200 Amotekun operatives in Ibarapaland

The Oyo State Government has deployed 200 operatives of the Oyo State Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Amotekun in Ibarapa Local Government Area of the state.

Of late, there has been a crisis between Ibarapa indigenes and Fulani herdsmen accused of perpetrating crimes ranging from kidnappings, killings, rape to invasion of farmlands with their cattle in the area.

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.

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.”