In a steadfast commitment to fostering a safer environment, Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has initiated the Ekiti Agro Marshals. This specialized force is tasked with safeguarding farmlands, educational institutions, and cultural sites across the state, aiming to cultivate a conducive atmosphere for agricultural prosperity and bolster food security.
Addressing the Marshals’ passing out parade in Ado-Ekiti, Governor Oyebanji underscored the outfit’s role in complementing the efforts of the police and other security agencies in combating crime. He highlighted the imperative behind establishing the Agro Marshals, citing directives from the President to Governors to establish specialized guards for protecting farmlands and forests. This directive, coupled with input from the state’s security council and traditional leaders, prompted the formation of this new security initiative.
Governor Oyebanji emphasized the pivotal role of securing agricultural resources, educational institutions, and cultural heritage sites in fostering sustainable development and communal harmony. The primary objective of the Marshals, he stressed, is to ensure the protection of farmlands, palaces, and schools statewide.
Asserting his administration’s unwavering commitment to the safety of citizens and their property, Governor Oyebanji expressed confidence in the collaborative synergy between the Marshals and other security agencies, envisioning Ekiti State as a paragon of safety within the nation.
He further elucidated that the initiative is a joint endeavor involving the state government, local authorities, and traditional institutions, all dedicated to safeguarding the lives of farmers to enhance agricultural productivity and ensure food security.
Governor Oyebanji charged the Marshals to uphold citizens’ fundamental rights while executing their duties conscientiously within the confines of the nation’s constitution. He emphasized that the Marshals are meant to complement existing security structures rather than replace them, fostering cooperation, gathering intelligence, and leveraging their local knowledge to effectively protect farmlands, palaces, and schools.
“I admonish the officers not to infringe upon the fundamental human rights of our citizens; arbitrariness has no place here. Everything you undertake must align with the confines of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” declared the Governor.
In his preceding remarks, Retired ACP Olamide Oni, the Commander of the Marshals, commended the Governor for guaranteeing the state’s populace the ability to rest with both eyes closed. He affirmed that the Marshals have undergone thorough training to execute their duties effectively and efficiently.
Oni assured the Governor that peace would henceforth reign on the various farmlands and forests across the state.
Offering a message of goodwill, Oba Ilori Faboro, Chairman of the Council of Traditional Rulers, conveyed appreciation on behalf of all royal fathers in the state. He lauded the Governor’s endeavors to maintain Ekiti as the safest state in the country and pledged unwavering support from the royal fathers to the Marshals’ cause.
