GOVERNOR of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu has banned underaged grazing of cattle, night movement of cattle, among other measures put in place to check insecurity in the state.
He stated that from Monday, January 18, 2021, herdsmen in all forest reserves in the state have seven days to relocate.
The governor who had a closed-door security meeting with the leadership of the Hausa/Fulani and Ebira communities in the state at the Cocoa Conference Hall, Governor’s office, Alagabaka, Akure on Monday, said “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.
“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 the 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 as pragmatically possible. 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 the 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.”
