FG deploys 1,600 security officials to protect cattle ranches

The federal government has officially launched Agro Rangers Program or Unit of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp in Tsafe local government area of Zamfara state with a view to ending farmers/ herders’ clashes.

The officer in charge of the unit at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Assistant Commandant General Adamu Soja said about 1,600 personnel of NSCDC would be deployed to give protection to the critical agricultural investments and to protect ranches against cattle rustlers.

“In this exercise, we critically need logistics such as vehicles, ammunition and many other things that will aid our activities so that we succeed in delivering what is expected of us,” he said.

The personnel would be using horses other than vehicles and are specially trained in that regard and they would ride horses where motor vehicles cannot access. The officers would be there to protect farmlands.

He said after the formal launch in Zamfara they would move to Kaduna, Niger, Taraba, Kogi and Nassarawa states. He said it’s an opportunity for all citizens and foreigners who are willing to invest to present their application to the unit so that adequate security would be provided to their investments.

The commandant of the NSCDC in the state, Mr David Abi, said the federal government gave the corps additional mandate to set up a special unit called agro rangers whose job would be to protect ranches against cattle rustlers to foster lasting peace.

“It is remarkable for NSCDC in Zamfara state because out of the 500 personnel on arms training here, 100 of them have been set aside to commence the Agro Rangers Unit of the NSCDC Zamfara state Command,” he said.

In his remarks, the deputy governor of the state Alhaji Ibrahim Wakkala Muhammad hoped that the programme would help in restoring peace and security across the state.