The Oyo state government says plans are underway to establish airstrips in Igbeti and Otu towns in Oke-Ogun zone of the state for aerial surveillance in the state.

Gov. Seyi Makinde disclosed this in Iseyin while inaugurating 480 Amotekun Forest Rangers, recruited to man the state forest reserves.

The governor said the move was toward enhancing security surveillance in the state.

Mr Makinde said his government would also provide aircraft security gadgets to support the surveillance activities.

Mr Makinde promised that his government would continue to give priority attention to the security of residents of the state.

According to the governor, the need to address kidnapping, banditry and other illegal activities in the state forests gave birth to the establishment of the Forest Rangers.

He explained that the Forest Rangers would be a sub-unit of Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed ‘Amotekun’ in 25 local government areas.

“These rangers are to work within the forests in the 25 local government areas alongside other stakeholders and community groups

“Their task is to prevent illegal activities in our forests, secure our farmers and other people engaging in commercial activities.

“They are also to preserve our natural resources in our forests,” he said.

The governor noted that the creation and operationalisation of ‘Amotekun’ by governors of the South-West states was one of the biggest achievements in the security sector in the region.

He pledged his government commitment to continue supporting all security outfits in the state and promised to approve hardship allowances for all Amotekun corps.

In his address, the commandant, Amotekun Corps, Rtd. Col. Olayinka Olayanju, said the recruitment of the Amotekun Forest Rangers was to complement the efforts of the state government in tackling security challenges.

Mr Olayanju emphasised that the rangers would keep the state safe and secure from increasing threats of kidnapping, banditry and illegal mining in the forests.

(NAN)