The Ekiti State Government has officially launched a large-scale recruitment drive to fill over 500 positions in the Amotekun Corps, Agro-Marshals, and the Anti-Grazing Task Force. This move is aimed at boosting the state’s internal security and ensuring better protection for farmers and rural communities.
The recruitment process kicked off in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, with the screening exercise taking place at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion. According to Brigadier-General Ogundana Ebenezer (rtd), who is the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, the aim is to enhance the state’s local security network and tackle rising cases of crime, especially in remote areas.
Brigadier-General Ogundana said the decision reflects Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s commitment to the safety of lives, government properties, and the development of agriculture in the state. He noted that this initiative also supports the state’s anti-open grazing law, which is intended to reduce the rising conflicts between farmers and herders across Ekiti.
The recruitment is not just a response to threats; it is a strategic action to strengthen security in the agricultural sector. Many of the state’s farmlands have been developed into active farms under new agricultural programs, and the government sees it as necessary to provide security for the farmers and the crops, especially as some of these areas were previously used as hideouts by criminals.
As part of the plan, the screening and selection process is focusing on candidates who already understand the local environment. This is to make sure that those selected can patrol and monitor their communities effectively, using their knowledge of the terrain to gather better intelligence and improve response time.
All successful applicants will go through full training before they are deployed to their local government areas. This training will prepare them to face real-time security challenges and protect their communities professionally and responsibly.
The recruitment also supports job creation, especially for young people across the state. The candidates that attended the screening came from all the local government areas, with recommendations from community leaders. This helps build trust between the security teams and local residents.
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This initiative is also a direct boost to community policing, which is one of the most effective ways to improve public safety and reduce crime in Nigeria.
With increased personnel in the Amotekun Corps, Agro-Marshals, and Anti-Grazing Task Force, Ekiti State is reinforcing its stand on law enforcement, agricultural protection, and youth employment in the region.