NewsReports

Edo, NSCDC Team Up To Tackle Menace Of Herdsmen

By Alltimepost.com

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has revealed that the state government was involving the Nigeria Security Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) in settling disputes between herdsmen and farm owners.

Part of their duties will be to help government to formulate policies and find a lasting solution to the problem.

From Left: DSC Ikponmwosa Akugbe, Protocol Officer; A.C Oguadogbon, HOD Crisis Management; A.C Etinagbedia Alfred, HOD Int.; Commandant Makinde Iskil Ayila, NSCDC Edo Commandant.

Governor Obaseki made the disclosure when the new State Commandant of the Corps, Makinde Ayinla Iskil paid him a courtesy visit at government house last Friday.

He explained that the issue of herdsmen grazing did not start overnight in the country but they have been doing this for over a 100 years.

“Why are we having such a problem and crisis in the herdsmen community relationship? Instead of fighting, let us understand the depth of the problem, and sustenance of whatever resolution we make. We are relying on you to give us intelligent information”.

Obaseki said all the issues were being looked into at as a state and it shall be nipped in the bud. He said his administration was developing its own internal security plans to complement federal government’s efforts through agencies like NSCDC.

“We are in the final stage of coming up with our own community based arrangement, we want to get more members of our community in providing security across the state, we can’t rely exclusively on only Federal authority because security is also local. We see you as a veritable partner. Be rest assured that whatever security plan or arrangement we have in the state you will be part of it,” he said.

The state commandant of NSCDC Makinde Ayinla Iskil thanked the governor for the attention and support given to the Corps in the state and creating the enabling environment for the Corps to operate effectively.

He said the Corps is 100 per cent ready to synergize with other security agencies to provide security for the state and rid it of criminal elements