FG to deploy 3000 ‘Agro-rangers’ to tackle herders, farmers’ clashes
The federal government has revealed its intention to deploy 3,000 Nigeria Security and Civil Defence (NSCDC) personnel to protect farms and agricultural investments in the country.
Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Dambazau, revealed in Abuja, while briefing newsmen on efforts by the government to protect Nigerians and their property that the squad will be named “Agro-rangers”.
He said the measure was meant to stem the tide of herdsmen and farmers clashes and protect agricultural investments in the country.
Dambazau said that the armed NSCDC personnel would be specially trained in the act of protection and mediation in conflicts.
“We know that the Police is being over-stretched in terms of maintaining law and order while the military is also battling insurgency. So, this falls within the purview of the NSCDC, this agro-rangers would be trained in the protection of agricultural assets and mediation in issues such as land disputes,” he said.
Dambazau added that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has also been charged, especially with the new Immigration Regulations 2017, to ensure the proper registration/monitoring of all foreigners including foreign herdsmen who come into the country.
The minister expressed optimism that all these measures will help in addressing the farmers/herdsmen clashes and boosting agricultural production as part of plan to diversify the economy.
