The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Monday, unveiled 480 Amotekun Forest Rangers, promising that his administration would continue to give attention to the security of the residents of the state.
He inaugurated this at the passing-out parade held at the orientation camp of the National Youth Service Corps in Iseyin, Iseyin Local Government Area of the state.
Makinde explained that plans were underway to establish airstrips in Igbeti and Otu towns, respectively, noting that the government would also provide aircraft security gadgets to support and enhance security surveillance in the state.
“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 the 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 in the forest 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 their mandate. We will continue to provide the equipment needed and monthly operational grants to ensure smooth operations,” Makinde stated.
The governor added that his administration placed the operatives under a life insurance scheme, adding that the same will be done for the new recruits. He also affirmed his approval to increase the hardship allowance for all Amotekun members.
He said, “We took out Group Life Insurance for the existing 2,000 operatives and I want to say that we will ensure that the recruits, who are passing out today, are also brought immediately under the Group Life Insurance.
“We will ensure that your new assignments are not hardship postings by supporting you with all that you need to succeed. We also expect that you will remain dedicated to your duties and ensure that you follow all the laid down guidelines and procedures which you received during your training.
“The commandant asked for Hardship Allowance for the forest rangers. We are not only going to provide the allowance for the forest rangers but also provide it for all Amotekun Corps. So, bring the proposal to me. It is approved as requested.
“We will employ more Amotekun Corps. We will set up an arm of Amotekun that will use aircraft for surveillance activities, drones. We will set up two airstrips; one will be in Igbeti, Olorunsogo Local Government Area and one in Otu, Itesiwaju Local Government Area. All of these will happen within the next one year. So, with the Airport in Ibadan, the Airstrip in Igbeti and Otu, before ground troops move in for any clearance operation, we would have got a lot of intelligence and information provided by Amotekun.”
Earlier, the Commandant of Oyo Amotekun, Olayinka Olayanju, said the recruitment of the forest rangers was to complement the efforts of the governor.