NSCDC to add six Agro Rangers bases in Oyo after 397 farm disputes
- The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Oyo plans six more Agro Ranger bases, doubling its total to 12.
- Its unit settled 397 farm disputes between January and October, mostly farmland damage and some cases of poisoned cattle.
- The corps says the new bases will reach more farming communities and stop disputes from turning violent.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Oyo State plans to open six more Agro Rangers bases, doubling its current six and widening its reach across farming communities in the state.
The state commandant, Augustine Padonu, announced the plan while reviewing the unit's work. The corps' spokesperson, Samuel Opebiyi, said in a statement on Monday that the expansion is meant to strengthen security for agriculture and support food production in Oyo.
The Agro Rangers are a corps unit that steps into disputes between farmers and herders, mostly over crops and livestock. The unit's existing bases are in Oriire, Ogbomoso, Iseyin, Lanlate, Igboora and Oyo.
397 disputes settled in ten months
Between January and October 2026, the unit handled 397 farm-related disputes, according to the command. Of these, 386 involved malicious destruction of farmlands and 11 involved cattle poisoning.
The monthly figures show the caseload rising and falling through the year: 64 cases in January, 53 in February, 45 in March, 31 in April, 17 in May, 26 in June, 32 in July, 32 in August, 50 in September and 47 in October.
For farmers and herders in Oyo, a state with large farming and cattle-rearing communities, these disputes can mean lost harvests, lost income and, at worst, violence. The unit also runs mediation and sensitisation meetings with farmers, herders, agricultural traders and transporters to encourage peaceful coexistence.
Padonu said the command will keep up intelligence gathering, regular patrols, community engagement and work with other security agencies to protect farm investments and keep the peace in rural areas. He urged farmers, herders and community leaders to talk through their differences, respect boundaries and report suspicious activity early.
What happens next
The corps has not said when the six new bases will open or where they will be located. For now, the plan is to widen coverage, speed up response to distress calls and catch disputes before they turn violent.