ONDO GOVT GIVES KIDNAPPERS, OTHER CRIMINALS 14 DAYS TO VACATE FORESTS
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Ondo State Government has given kidnappers and other criminal elements operating in the state’s forest reserves 14 days to vacate the forests.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Forestry, Bidemi Obayangban, disclosed this in an interview with journalists in Akure on Wednesday.
Obayangban said the directive by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa was part of measures to improve security across the state and create a safe environment for legitimate economic activities.
He said the government’s plan to develop the forestry sector and attract investors could not succeed without adequate security for farmers, timber contractors, investors and other legitimate operators.
“A vision without maximum security to ensure the safety of investors, farmers, timber contractors and those conducting legitimate business across Ondo State’s forest reserves is effectively meaningless,” he said.
Obayangban said the state government had concluded plans to tackle kidnapping and other criminal activities in the forests, adding that security agencies and local hunters were collaborating with the government to restore security to the areas.
“Consequently, the primary focus of the Aiyedatiwa administration is to flush out criminal elements from our forests. We are taking the battle directly to them.
“The government is fully committed to this objective and has finalised comprehensive plans to eliminate kidnapping and other illegal activities within our borders,” he said.
According to him, Governor Aiyedatiwa prefers a discreet and action-oriented approach to security matters but remains determined to reclaim the forests from criminal elements.
“I am using this opportunity to announce that the state government is giving these individuals 14 days to vacate Ondo State forests.
“Failure to comply will result in them meeting their Waterloo,” Obayangban warned.
He added that securing the forest reserves was critical to the administration’s broader plan to revitalise the forestry sector and promote legitimate economic activities.
Obayangban stressed that sustainable economic growth could not be achieved in an environment where farmers, investors and other legitimate businesses were exposed to insecurity.
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