The Gombe State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC, Muhammad Muazu, on Wednesday, deployed 299 agro-rangers and other personnel to prevent clashes between herders and farmers during the harvest season in the state.
NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Buhari Sa’ad in a press statement said the 299 agro-rangers would be deployed along major cattle routes in the state.
According to Mu’azu, NSCDC aims to prevent farmers/herders from clashing and ensure a peaceful harvest season in the state.
However, it was gathered that Governor Muhammadu Yahaya of Gombe state had earlier requested at the NSCDC’s headquarters to provide security for farming activities to boost food security.
The statement read, “This became necessary to enforce the restriction of cattle movements and migration order of the state government.
“The deployment of the specialised personnel aligns with the corps mission of developing structures and strategies that would contribute to national security by using modern technology.
“As we get to the end of October 2023, it’s obvious that the rainy season has virtually come to an end. Hence, the commencement of harvest of crops from farms by the farmers.
“The harvest season in Nigeria more particularly in Gombe State comes with a lot of challenges because the state is 80 per cent rural community. We cannot forget the fact that the herders would commence their migration from the northern region particularly Yobe and Bauchi states respectively following their route in search of water and greener pasture.”
The commandant warned that any herder or farmer found violating the restriction order would face the full wrath of the law,
“We urge farmers across the state to report any suspicious activity or security threats to the nearest security post and to avoid taking matters into their own hands,” Muazu added.
He called on members of the public to cooperate with the deployed officers by providing useful information that would aid their operations.
He added that “We urge farmers and herders to embrace the use of modern techniques in agriculture and animal husbandry to reduce the incidence of clashes which have in the past led to loss of lives, cattle and destruction of farmlands across the country.
“We also appeal to the people of Gombe State to support the efforts of the NSCDC in maintaining peace and security in the state, as we assure them that the NSCDC will not rest on its oars until the state is completely free of any form of insecurity.”