Oyo monarch backs Afenifere warning as farmers desert farms

The Elerepamo of Pamo, Oba Ayobami Ogunmakinde, has endorsed the concerns raised by the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization Afenifere regarding the escalating attacks and kidnappings targeting farmers in Nigeria's South-West region.

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As far as security is concerned, I would align with the organisation. The fear is too much. Our farmers cannot go to their farms again. Our security personnel are trying, but we still want them to do more.

Oba Ogunmakinde stated in Ibadan that proactive measures are urgently needed to curb the violence, particularly in remote communities within Oyo State. His comments align with Afenifere's recent statement, which highlighted residents' complaints about abandoning their farms. The organization cited three primary reasons: the pervasive fear of kidnapping, a significant drop in produce prices due to middlemen, and the persistent issue of herders grazing on farmlands.

"As far as security is concerned, I would align with the organisation. The fear is too much. Our farmers cannot go to their farms again," Oba Ogunmakinde said. He acknowledged the efforts of security personnel but stressed the need for increased action. He specifically appealed to the Federal Government and the Inspector-General of Police to upgrade the existing Police Post in Pamo to a full-fledged Divisional Police Headquarters.

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Look at what happened in Oriire recently. I had appealed before; I want to appeal again to the Federal Government and the Inspector-General of Police to upgrade the only existing Police Post in Pamo to a full-fledged Divisional Police Headquarters.

The monarch believes that enhancing security infrastructure, such as establishing military bases and additional police offices in nearby Ogbomoso, could significantly reduce incidents of kidnapping and banditry. This appeal comes in the wake of heightened fears following the abduction of schoolchildren and their teachers, which has intensified concerns across the region and the country.

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We are not asking for too much. We are begging them to help us upgrade the Police Post to a full-fledged Divisional Police Headquarters. I believe with the establishment of two Military Bases and another Divisional Police Office in Ogbomoso, the issue of kidnapping, banditry and others will reduce drastically.