by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has passed out 150 Agro-Rangers Course SH 1314 trainees at NSCDC Command and Staff College Jos.
The establishment of the Agro- Rangers was to help in managing conflicts and promote sustainable agricultural practices, and the aim was to reduce tension and promote peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders.
Agro-Rangers play a critical role in mediating conflicts between farmers and herders by providing a neutral and professional presence in areas of tension and help in resolving disputes over land, water, and grazing rights; it’s also to promote dialogue and cooperation between the two groups.
Speaking at the Passing Out Parade (POP) at the Command and Staff College, Naton-Fursa, Jos East Local Government Areas of Plateau State, on Tuesday, Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang of Plateau State said, “Our farms are critical national assets that must not only be protected but also cultivated to attain food security and food sovereignty.
“These Agro-Rangers have been trained to ensure that farmers can go to farm and return home safely and, that, the fruits of their labour are not destroyed, and for us to achieve food security and eventually food sovereignty.
“With the passing out of second batch of Agro r-Rangers now, with the general security forces on ground trying to protect the sovereignty of Nigeria and making sure that even internal conflict that threaten national security, I’m not allowed to fester to the point where we can no longer sleep with our two eyes closed,” he said.
Governor Mutfwang charged those, who are graduating today, to be committed to their duty, and go about their duty with justice and fairness, saying, “Above all, you have taken a task that no money can pay you.
“What you have been called to do is sacrifice – sacrifice for your brothers and sisters, for your fathers and mothers; sacrifice for our common good, for our family, for our future; and I’m confident that you will not fail in this task,” he urged.
He further reminded them that they have a golden opportunity to be able to guarantee the future of the other citizens of Plateau State, adding, “And I’m sure, with God’s help, you will discharge your duties admirably.”
The governor reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to peace, unity, and inclusive development, adding that “The journey of farmers to-and-from the farms must be safe and secured, if we are to guarantee food security for our nation.”
While thanking the Almighty God for the occasion, Mutfwang acknowledged the significance of the event in the ongoing efforts to strengthen security and peace across Plateau State.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support and to the nation’s security chiefs for their collaborative efforts in addressing the security challenges confronting the state.
He specifically commended the NSCDC for its innovative Agro-Rangers initiative, describing it as a laudable strategy that complements the efforts of conventional security agencies in safeguarding rural communities and farmlands.
“While our security forces continue to uphold the sovereignty and internal stability of the country, the Agro-Rangers initiative by the NSCDC is a timely and commendable response to the unique security needs of our agrarian communities.”
According to him, rural insecurity undermines national stability and economic growth, warning that a hungry population is vulnerable to manipulation, and stressed the importance of ensuring that farmers can cultivate and harvest their crops without fear or threat.
Governor Mutfwang further revealed that security agencies, including the Agro-Rangers, recently facilitated the peaceful evacuation of thousands of stranded cattle from Bokkos Local Government Area without incident, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining peace through professionalism and dialogue.
Speaking earlier, the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, explained that this is the second batch of Agro-Rangers deployed in Plateau State. He affirmed the Corps’ determination to support the State Government in tackling security challenges, especially in farming communities.
He stressed that: “We are proud to be partners in the journey towards sustainable peace and food security. The Agro-Rangers are specially trained to provide security cover for farmers, and we are committed to expanding their operations across the country.”
He assured of the core readiness to control to give protection to farmers, and they will try to provide safety and security for them, saying, “This will be put in collaboration with the program assistant security agencies with excellence.
“We have really seen that we must come together, all security agencies, the three Cs are now seeing very conspicuously that we have to come together. We have to cooperate, we have to collaborate, and there must be proper coordination. We really want to provide solutions to this crisis.
“This is a conflict that hitherto we did not know the intensity of it. If it were to be the normal, conventional conflict, like a war, by now we would have ended it. But this asymmetric conflict resembles a guerrilla type of conflict where the bad guys will come out, hit on targets, and throw back the base.
“However, when they hit, they cause a very debilitating and devastating effect on both human and critical assets of the state; and so, we have been saying it – that, no agency has the monopoly of any strategy. We must really come together, if we want to provide security for the nation.”
Also, the Commandant NSCDC Command and Staff College Jos, ACG DA Abi, said, “The Agro-Rangers protection training is a vital initiative by the Minister of Interior and the Commonwealth in general, aimed at protecting our nation’s agricultural resources and infrastructure.
“The six weeks training of 150 personnel was carried out in collaboration with the State Government, exposed business to varying tasks both in theory and simulation, which in the long run, will shape secret to the approval of the city after rigorous training.”
Dr. Audi had earlier paid a courtesy visit to Governor Mutfwang at his residence, during which they held productive discussions on strategies to further address insecurity in the state.