Fulani herdsmen finally ejected from Ondo forest reserves

Despite the warning by the federal government, the Ondo State Government has sent packing herdsmen from the state’s forest reserves.

Recall that the state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu had issued a notice to herdsmen to leave the state’s forest reserves within seven days.

The governor cited some alleged atrocities being perpetrated by the cattle rearers in the state.

According to him, most of the herders in the state have been kidnapping, raping and maiming his people.

However, the federal government led by Muhammadu Buhari kicked against the order, saying that it is out of place for the state government to ask the herdsmen to leave.

“Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, a seasoned lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and indeed, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has fought crime in his state with passion and commitment, greater sensitivity and compassion for the four years he has run its affairs and, in our view, will be the least expected to unilaterally oust thousands of herders who have lived all their lives in the state on account of the infiltration of the forests by criminals,” the presidential spokesman had said.

However, despite the warning, the state government on Thursday, through the help of Amotekun corps, has escorted over 37 herdsmen alongside their 5,000 cattle from on forest reserves across Ondo State.

The development was confirmed by Adetunji Adeleye, the State Commander of Amotekun.

“We have to monitor their movements out of the state so that they would not destroy farms on their way out. About 37 herders with about 5,000 cows ejected,” he said.