Ondo: Real reason I asked Fulani herdsmen to leave Ondo — Akeredolu

Ondo State Governor and the Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, Rotimi Akeredolu, has explained why he ordered herdsmen to vacate the state’s forest reserves.

Recall that the Governor on Monday January 18, issued an executive order to herdsmen in all the state forest reserves, to vacate within seven days.

The governor said this at an interactive meeting with the leadership of the Hausa/Fulani and Ebira communities in Akure.

The meeting was attended by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bolaji Salami and the state Commandant of Amotekun Corps, Mr. Tunji Adeleye.

Akeredolu, who expressed anger over the activities of the criminal elements in the state, said his administration will not fold its arms and allow a few individuals to turn the state into a haven of dare-devil criminals.

He said: “The security reports and debriefings from victims of kidnap cases pointed in one direction traceable to some bad elements masquerading as herdsmen.

“As the Chief Law and Security Officer of the state, it is my constitutional obligation to do everything lawful to protect the lives and property of all residents of the State. This meeting, therefore, is convened to address the issues of insecurity with the ultimate aim of attaining the goal of a safe environment.

“Recent security trends attest that these times require all hands to be on deck as the difficulties we face are dire. The challenges are quite enormous but we are determined to confront them head-on.

“We decided that all the criminal elements, who hide under various guises to aid the destruction of farmlands as well as perpetrate other violent crimes such as kidnapping, drug peddling and other nefarious activities, must be stamped out of our dear state.

“I wish to reassure the residents that the State Security Council, under my leadership, shall not relent in tackling these challenges pragmatically. We shall remove all threats in no distant future.

“We have cases of several attacks on our people by these mindless elements. You will recall the gruesome murder of one of the members of Ondo State Traditional Council who was caught in the web of the devious plans of these workers of evil on his way back to his domain.

“While we were still grieving, other kidnap attempts were made on the lives of road users across the state, especially along our boundaries and hinterland.”

He, however, banned night-grazing and movement of cattle within cities and highways in the state, while also outlawing under-aged grazing of cattle.

He said: “Movement of cattle within cities and highways is prohibited. Under-aged grazing of cattle is outlawed.

“In its usual magnanimity, our administration will give a grace period of seven days for those who wish to carry on with their cattle-rearing business to register with appropriate authorities.

“Our resolution to guarantee the safety of lives and property within the state shall remain utmost as security agencies have been directed to enforce the ban.

“On the issue of farm destruction, Amotekun Corps has been matching action with words within the limits of its enabling law to reduce the growing incidence of farm destruction.

“The agency has been ensuring fair compensation to victims of reckless cattle-grazing activities across the state.

“This meeting becomes necessary to advance the cause of peace and harmonious relationship among farmers and herdsmen in the state with the ultimate aim of saving more businesses and in the long run, ensuring food security and safety of lives.

“As accommodating as our people and this government are, I wish to emphasise the fact that in line with the mandate of our administration, particularly at the national level, we shall do all that is necessary to stamp out insecurity in our domain.”