Governor of Ondo state, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has issued an executive order to herdsmen in the state forest reserves to vacate within seven days.
The Precision NG reports that Akeredolu’s order was posted on his official social media pages on Monday, after a high powered security meeting with stakeholders and security architecture in the state.
Ondo state has been ravaged with high incidents of insecurity particularly kidnappings in recent times, with all fingers pointing to the activities of suspected Fulani herdsmen.
Recently, a couple were kidnapped along Akure-Owo road. The husband who narrated their ordeals in the hands of the kidnappers alleged that they are Fulani teenagers between ages 14 and 15.
In November, 2020, a first class King, Oluifon of Ifon, Oba Israel Adeusi was shot dead by unknown gunmen along Owo-Benin road.
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We have taken major steps at addressing the root cause of kidnapping, in particular, and other nefarious activities detailed and documented in security reports, the press and debriefings from victims of kidnap cases in Ondo State.
These unfortunate incidents are traceable to the activities of some bad elements masquerading as herdsmen. These felons have turned our forest reserves into hideouts for keeping victims of kidnapping, negotiating for ransom and carrying out other criminal activities.
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. In light of the foregoing, the following orders are hereby issued:
- All Forest Reserves in the State are to be vacated by herdsmen within the next 7 days with effect from today, Monday 18th January, 2021.
- Night-grazing is banned with immediate effect because most farm destruction takes place at night.
- 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 safety of lives and property within the State shall remain utmost as security agencies have been directed to enforce the ban.
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