The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oyo State Command, through its Agro Rangers Unit, has successfully resolved 397 cases involving malicious destruction of farmlands and cattle poisoning between January and October 2026, reinforcing its commitment to promoting peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders and safeguarding agricultural activities across the state.
The State Commandant, NSCDC Oyo State Command, Commandant Augustine Padonu, disclosed this while highlighting the operational achievements of the Agro Rangers Unit during the 10-month period under review.
According to the operational statistics, the unit handled and resolved a total of 397 cases, comprising 386 cases of malicious damage to farmlands and 11 cases of cattle poisoning.
“A breakdown of the monthly records indicates that January recorded 64 cases, February 53, March 45, April 31, May 17, June 26, July 32, August 32, September 50 and October 47 cases.
“These interventions underscore the strategic importance of the Agro Rangers Unit in addressing farmer-herder conflicts, preventing the escalation of agricultural disputes and creating an enabling environment for sustainable food production and security in Oyo State.
“The Agro Rangers squad maintains operational presence in six strategic locations across the state, namely Oriire, Ogbomoso, Iseyin, Lanlate, Igboora and Oyo, thereby strengthening security coverage and facilitating prompt responses to agricultural and livestock-related disputes in their respective areas of responsibility,” he noted.
In a further demonstration of his commitment to strengthening agricultural security, Commandant Padonu has unveiled plans to establish six additional operational bases for the Agro Rangers squad across Oyo State, complementing the existing six locations.
He noted that the proposed expansion is aimed at extending the Corps’ operational reach to more farming communities, improving response time to distress calls, strengthening surveillance and patrol activities, and ensuring that farmers, herders and other stakeholders in the agricultural value chain have improved access to security interventions.
“Beyond dispute resolution, the unit has sustained regular mediation, sensitisation and enlightenment programmes involving farmers, herders, agricultural merchants and transporters.
“These engagements are aimed at promoting mutual understanding, peaceful coexistence and respect for one another’s economic activities.
“The unit has also maintained regular patrols across its operational locations to forestall security threats, protect lives and property, and prevent criminal activities capable of undermining agricultural productivity. Additionally, it has strengthened collaboration with other security agencies to promote peace across the state,” he said.
Commandant Padonu commended the personnel of the Agro Rangers Unit for their dedication, professionalism and commitment to duty, noting that peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders remains essential to food security, economic stability and sustainable development.
He emphasised that the NSCDC Oyo State Command would continue to strengthen its agricultural security architecture through proactive intelligence gathering, effective conflict mediation, strategic patrols, community engagement and inter-agency collaboration.
The Commandant further called on farmers, herders, community leaders and other stakeholders in the agricultural value chain to embrace dialogue, respect lawful boundaries, avoid acts capable of provoking conflict and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest NSCDC formation.
He reassured residents of the Command’s unwavering commitment to protecting agricultural investments, securing rural communities and supporting government efforts towards achieving food security in Oyo State.
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