Story from Ademola ADEBAYO, Abuja
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu has ordered herdsmen grazing in Ondo state to leave the state’s forest reserves within the next seven days.
Akeredolu who made the pronouncement today said the order was necessary in order to stem the rising cases of kidnappings and farmland vandalism by herdsmen in the state.
According to the governor, these unfortunate incidents are traceable to the activities of some bad elements masquerading as herdsmen. The governor said the felons have turned the state’s forest reserves into hideouts for keeping victims of kidnapping, negotiating for ransom and carrying out other criminal 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.
‘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.
‘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.’
Akeredolu said his 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 in the state.