The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Security, Mr. Gbenga Atiba, has clarified that the Ondo State government has not hired any private security firm to protect farmers in the state’s forest reserves. This comes in response to claims made by Global Olabod Resources Limited, a private security company, that it had been engaged by the governor to coordinate security efforts across the state.
The company’s chairman, Mr. Eniola Ogunbodede, had stated through a representative at a meeting with farmers in Idanre Local Government Area that the firm was coordinating all security agencies in the state to protect farmers on their farmlands. This assertion was made in light of concerns from farmers facing threats from hoodlums.
However, Mr. Atiba, in a statement on Tuesday, refuted these claims, describing them as a misrepresentation of the facts. He clarified that the firm’s engagement with the state government was limited to identifying and enumerating farmers to provide accurate data, not to coordinate security efforts.
“It is inappropriate for a privately-owned firm to claim or assume the role of coordinating all the security agencies in the state,” Atiba said. He emphasized that the state government maintains a strong relationship with federal security agencies, including the Armed Forces, Police, Civil Defence Corps, and the state’s homeland security unit, Amotekun. These agencies have been effectively fulfilling their duties to protect the lives and property of Ondo State residents.
The statement reassured the public that both federal and state security agencies would continue to collaborate to ensure the safety and security of all inhabitants in the state.