NSCDC Vows Tougher Fight Against Kidnapping, Banditry in Oyo

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Oyo State says it is stepping up operations against kidnapping and banditry, with more Agro-Ranger bases in the state's flashpoints and Special Forces from Abuja now working alongside its personnel.

 

The state Commandant, Mr Augustine Padonu, gave the assurance on Thursday in Ibadan when executives of the Correspondents' Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, paid him a courtesy visit.

 

The journalists said they had come to thank the command for its part in rescuing victims abducted in Oriire Local Government Area.

 

Padonu alleged that many of the kidnappings and bandit attacks around the Old Oyo National Park were carried out by foreign herders who had settled in the forest for years under the guise of mining.

 

He said the command operates 78 divisional offices and 11 area commands across the state, as well as specialised teams such as the Agro-Rangers and anti-terrorism units deployed to rural areas, especially farm settlements.

 

According to him, the command has doubled its Agro-Ranger operational bases in Saki and Oyo, from one to two in each area, and has strengthened some divisional offices in response to the rise in kidnappings.

 

He said the measures were aimed at blocking the routes used by kidnappers, preventing crime and protecting lives and property.

 

"What we did recently, because of this issue of kidnapping, is to increase the Agro-Rangers settlement base.

 

"Like in Saki now, we have two bases, instead of one base and Oyo, two bases.

 

"Then, we have increased some of the divisional areas to make sure that it closed most of the areas these elements are coming through," he said.

 

The commandant added that additional Special Forces had been deployed from Abuja and were working with the command's personnel to chase kidnappers and other criminals out of the state.

 

"So, Oyo is like a red mark for kidnapping and banditry now," he said.

 

Padonu stressed that defeating insecurity would require cooperation among security agencies, community leaders, government and the media.

 

"We need to be proactive and collaborate to ensure we chase all these bad elements from Oyo state entirely," he said.

 

He praised journalists in the state for helping to publicise the work of the NSCDC and other security agencies, but urged them to avoid fake news and to verify information before publishing it.

 

Earlier, the Chairman of the Correspondents' Chapel, Mr Yinka Adeniran, commended NSCDC personnel for their contribution to security operations in the state, particularly the rescue of the abducted victims in Oriire.

 

Adeniran said journalists who covered the incident had seen the efforts of the security personnel firsthand and felt it was important to recognise their sacrifices.

 

He pledged the chapel's continued support in informing the public about the command's activities.

 

Adeniran also told the commandant that the chapel would hold its Press Week in November, during which it planned to present him with an award.