By Isaac Atunlute
For years communities across Nigeria’s Southern and Middle Belt regions have contended with worsening insecurity, largely driven by recurring conflicts between farmers and nomadic herders.
In Ekiti State, where farming sustains livelihood as much as the state economy, conflict has long threatened food production, safety, and stability. Now, the state is responding with a bold local initiative aimed at transforming how security is delivered in its vulnerable rural areas.
As part of this strategy, the Ekiti State government has scheduled a three-week training for 500 members newly inducted into the anti-grazing and agro-marshal units of the Amotekun corps,
These recruits will be trained in theory and field tactics at the NYSC Orientation Ground in Emure/Ise/Orun, and this training has in it intensive training in community policing, in conflict resolution and in agro-security.
“It aims at equipping the new members with skills required for the effective discharge of their duties,” said Ekiti State Commissioner for Information Taiwo Olatunbosun, adding that there would be teamwork exercises, acquisition of technical skills, and physical exercises, vital components in developing resilience in the field.
This project is more than just security reinforcement. Its broad planning is conceived with the ultimate goal of rebuilding faith with farmers, reducing herder-farmer violence and promoting freer passage through farmlands, particularly in those exposed countryside settlements that are most susceptible to violent assault and crop looting.
The Amotekun corps, launched in 2020 by the southwestern states under the Western Nigeria Security Network, was created as a preventive force for banditry and cross-border criminality.
While it took off with mixed reception, states like Ondo, Oyo and Osun have since embraced it with remarkable success.
In Ondo state, Amotekun has led some successful raids, liberating forest reserves from criminal groups and recovering crops and livestock stolen.
In Oyo state, Amotekun and village police joint patrols have increased night-time security in border communities.
Ekiti’s effort now draws upon this momentum, supporting specialised anti-open grazing and agro-marshalling units specifically designed for the safeguarding of farmlands and lines of grazing for herders, itself a major step in light of the state’s heavy reliance upon smallholder farming.
The approach isn’t without its challenges.
Deploying locally employed officers provides cultural sensitivity and citizen confidence—two traits lacking among central forces.
There are, however, fears about mobilising enough funds and blending Amotekun into federal law enforcement. There had been earlier demands by human rights organisations for increased controls on the units of community policing in the bid to check excesses and accountabilities.
In spite of all this, Ekiti State’s commitment to formal training coupled with a public communication plan and inter-agency collaboration signals a maturing model of grassroots security.
What Ekiti is really doing is something that has proven hard for most rural states. moving back into crisis prevention after crisis response.
By investing the appropriate tool, attitude, and mission in the hands of security corps and seeding the strategy in concert with communities, what the state is doing is investing in long-term foundation work for peace.
If monitored transparently and backed by continued investment, Ekiti State’s broader Amotekun and agro-security force can still be a benchmark for rural security, not just in the Southwest but in all states wracked by violent conflict between farmers and herdsmen.
As the orientation programme unfolds—set to end on July 25, 2025—residents across Ekiti’s farmlands are watching closely. This time, they hope, those assigned to protect them will be the very people who live among them
Ekiti State in Nigeria is implementing a significant local initiative to address insecurity caused by conflicts between farmers and nomadic herders, particularly in its rural areas. The initiative involves a three-week training program for 500 new recruits to the anti-grazing and agro-marshal units of the Amotekun corps, focusing on community policing, conflict resolution, and agro-security. This effort aims to rebuild trust with farmers, reduce violence, and support safer passage through farmlands, aligning with Ekiti's reliance on smallholder farming.
Established in 2020 as part of the Western Nigeria Security Network, the Amotekun corps has seen success in states like Ondo and Oyo by combating criminal activities and enhancing security. However, challenges such as funding, integration with federal law enforcement, and ensuring accountability remain. Despite these challenges, Ekiti's investment in formal training, public communication, and inter-agency collaboration reflects a shift from crisis response to prevention and a commitment to sustainable peace and security.
Residents of Ekiti's rural communities are hopeful that this approach will lead to improved protection from those familiar with their local context. If supported by transparent oversight and continued investment, Ekiti's model may serve as a template for rural security across regions affected by similar conflicts.
