Agbekoya Trains Officers to Protect Farmers, Combat Crime in Ogun State

The Agbekoya Solidarity Group has reinforced its commitment to combating rising crime in Ogun State by training over 100 officers in a rigorous orientation and training camp held recently in Odeda Local Government Area, Abeokuta. This initiative aims to protect farmers and rural communities threatened by increasing banditry, kidnappings, and violent crimes.

Comrade Ojerinde Opeoluwa, Commander of Agbekoya’s Ogun Central Command, disclosed that the training focused on equipping new recruits with military-style drills and a blend of traditional and modern security tactics. He emphasized the urgent need to shield farmers who have been forced to abandon their farmlands due to persistent attacks in remote areas and forest communities, with ripple effects contributing to rising food prices across the region.

The training, conducted under the supervision of professional security trainers, prepares officers to confront criminal elements, including kidnappers and cultists disrupting peace in Ogun’s rural districts. The commander also expressed the group’s readiness to collaborate with official security agencies, seeking formal recognition from the state government to operate synergistically for maximum impact.

Commander Ojerinde appealed for governmental and community support, particularly in logistics and patrol vehicle provision, assuring that Agbekoya remains loyal to Ogun State and dedicated to safeguarding lives and properties.

The group is also recruiting professionals such as lawyers and contractors to enhance its operational capacity, with members taking an oath underscoring moral, traditional, and spiritual discipline.

ADVERTISEMENT

Assistant Secretary Oladayo Fasola highlighted that Agbekoya members are physically and morally trained youths committed to the security and development of Ogun State and the broader Southwest region. He stressed the importance of community cooperation and urged farmers to form close links with local Agbekoya officers to respond swiftly during emergencies.

This comprehensive security initiative reinforces Agbekoya’s historical role as a formidable grassroots force advocating for farmers’ rights and rural security in southwestern Nigeria.