Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has issued a 7-day ultimatum to herdsmen to vacate forest reserves in the state.
Governor Akeredolu said his administration had received security reports indicating that the “root cause” of kidnappings and other crimes in Ondo was traceable to activities of “some bad elements masquerading as herdsmen”.
The governor, in a series of tweets on Monday, consequently ordered that all herdsmen occupying forest reserves in the state should vacate them within the next 7 days.
Akeredolu tweeted: “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.”
While asking security agencies to ensure enforcement of the directives and ban, the governor said the resolutions were reached to “guarantee safety of lives and property within the State.”
He added that, “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.”
Governor Akeredolu’s directive followed the kidnapping of some passengers along the Ilesa-Akure Expressway by unidentified gunmen on Monday.