Aiyedatiwa gives kidnappers, criminals 14 days to leave Ondo forests

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Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has given criminals operating in the state’s forest reserves 14 days to vacate the forests.

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The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Forestry, Mr Bidemi Obayangban, made this known in an interview with newsmen on Wednesday in Akure.

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According to Obayangban, the governor’s directive is particularly targeted at kidnappers and other criminals using the forests as hideouts.

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He said it was part of measures to improve security and create a safe environment for legitimate economic activities.

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Obayangban said security remained a prerequisite for the state government’s plans to develop the forestry sector and attract investors.

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“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.

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He said the administration had concluded plans to tackle kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state’s forests.

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According to him, security agencies and hunters across the state were collaborating with the government in the effort to restore security to the forest reserves.

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“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.

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“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.

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Obayangban said the governor preferred a discreet and action-oriented approach to security matters, but stressed that the government was determined to reclaim the forests from criminal elements.

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“I am using this opportunity to announce that the state government is giving these individuals 14 days to vacate Ondo State forests.

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“Failure to comply will result in them meeting their Waterloo,” he said.

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Obayangban said restoring security to the forests was also critical to the government’s broader plan to revitalise the forestry sector and promote legitimate economic activities.

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He said the administration recognised that sustainable economic growth could not be achieved in an environment where farmers, investors and other legitimate operators were exposed to insecurity.

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