In a bid to ensure a safer environment, the governor of Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji has inaugurated the Ekiti Agro Marshals.
The security outfit, he said was established to safeguard farmlands, schools, and palaces across the state with a view to creating a conducive environment for farming to thrive, thereby boosting food security in the state.
The governor who stated this during the passing out parade of the marshalls in Ado- Ekiti on said the local security outfit is also designed to complement efforts of the Police and other security agencies in the war against criminality in the state.
He said the Agro Marshals became necessary following the instruction of the president to the governors to set up a special guard to protect farmlands and the forest. This in addition to suggestions of the security council and that of the traditional rulers in the state, led to the establishment of the new outfit.
While stressing the importance of securing agricultural resources, educational institutions and cultural heritage sites to ensure sustainable development and communal harmony, the governor said the main mandate of the marshals is to ensure that farmlands, palaces and schools are protected across the state.
Maintaining that his government remains committed to security of lives and property of the citizens in the state, he expressed his confidence that, with the right collaboration between the marshals and other security agencies, Ekiti will be the safest place in the country.
He added that the initiative is a collaborative effort between the state, the local government and traditional institutions to safeguard the lives of farmers in order to enhance safety on the farms thereby boosting food production and food security.
The governor charged the Marshals not to violate the fundamental human rights of the citizen but discharged their duties diligently within the confines of the constitution of the country.
“They are to compliments the efforts of the formal security apparatus, they are not to replace them, they are to work together , gather intelligence but their main mandate is to ensure our farmlands, palaces and schools are protected and because they are local they have access to intelligence, understand the community and the environment’’ he said.