JUST IN: Akeredolu Evicts Herdsmen From Ondo Forest Reserves, Bans Night Grazing

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has ordered herdsmen operating in the Southwest state to vacate its forest reserves in seven days.

In a statement issued on Monday via his official Twitter handle, the governor said the forests have been turned into a place for criminals to perpetrate nefarious activities.

“Today 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.

Read also: Akeredolu Calls For Special Protection Of Southwest Assets

“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,” Akeredolu said.

He alsostated that it is his constitutional obligation, as the Chief Law and Security Officer of the state, to do everything lawful to protect the lives and property of all residents of the state.