Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State, pledged his administration will continue to prioritise the security of the state’s citizens as he presented 480 Amotekun Forest Rangers on Monday.

He launched this at the passing-out parade at the National Youth Service Corps orientation camp in Iseyin, within the state’s Iseyin Local Government Area.

In order to support and improve security monitoring in the state, Makinde revealed that preparations were in place to build airstrips in the towns of Igbeti and Otu, respectively. She also mentioned that the government would supply aircraft security devices.

We have made significant investments since taking office in 2019 to keep Oyo State safe by assisting our security forces in doing their jobs properly and efficiently. To safeguard more lives and property, however, we understood that more work needed to be done. You would concur with me that the governors of the South-West states’ establishment and execution of the Western Nigeria Security Network, also known as Amotekun, is among the greatest security accomplishments.

Oyo Amotekun only started operating in November 2020, yet even so, we can’t picture the state functioning without them. This is the extent to which they have grown in significance inside our security architecture over time. We took the initiative to establish Forest Rangers as a sub-unit of Amotekun in 25 local government areas after realising that more needed to be done to combat kidnapping, banditry, and other illegal activities in our forests. Approximately 480 recruits out of the 561 passed out today.

These rangers will collaborate with other community organisations and stakeholders to manage the woods in their local government districts. Their responsibility is to protect our farmers and other business owners. In addition, they serve to protect our woods’ natural riches and deter illicit activity. With the extra Oyo Amotekun recruits graduating today, there will be 2,500 Amotekun corps members total.

“Let me reiterate that we are dedicated to giving all needed to enable Oyo Amotekun to fulfil their mission. To guarantee seamless operations, we will keep giving monthly operational funds and the necessary equipment,” Makinde said.

The governor also stated that his government had provided life insurance to the operatives and that it would provide fresh recruits with the same benefits. Additionally, he gave his consent for all Amotekun members to receive an increase in the hardship allowance.

“We took out Group Life Insurance for the 2,000 operatives that are currently in place, and I want to say that we will make sure that the recruits who are leaving today are also brought immediately under the Group Life Insurance,” he stated.

“By providing you with all the tools you need to succeed, we’ll make sure that your new responsibilities are not solely about difficulty. Additionally, we count on you to continue being committed to your work and making sure you adhere to all of the established policies and procedures that you were given.

The forest rangers’ Hardship Allowance was requested by the commandant. We will give the allowance to all Amotekun Corps members in addition to the forest rangers. So please bring me the proposal. It is accepted as asked for.

“We’re going to hire more Amotekun Corps. We’re going to establish a section of Amotekun dedicated to using drones and aeroplanes for surveillance purposes. Two airstrips will be built, one in Otu, Itesiwaju Local Government Area, and one in Igbeti, Olorunsogo Local Government Area. Within the next year, all of these will occur. Therefore, we would have received a lot of intelligence and information from Amotekun before ground forces moved in for any clearance operation with the airport in Ibadan, the airstrip in Igbeti, and Otu.

Formerly, Olayinka Olayanju, the Commandant of Oyo Amotekun, stated that the hiring of forest rangers was intended to support the governor’s initiatives.