By Olamide Francis
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has given a seven- day ultimatum to Fulani herdsmen grazing within the cities, highways and forest reserves to vacate Ondo State.
The Governor gave the directive at an interactive meeting with the Hausa, Ebira, and Fulani leaders in Akure, the state capital, while he also banned underage grazing.
The governor’s directive came barely forty-eight hours after suspected herdsmen killed the Deputy Registrar of the Federal University of Technology Akure.
In his words, “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 ransoms, and carrying out other criminal activities.
“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 seven 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. Underage grazing of cattle is outlawed.
“In its usual magnanimity, our administration will give a grace period of seven days for those who wish to carry on with their cattlerearing 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.”
While encouraging a mutual relationship between the people and their host communities, the governor asked them to point out bad eggs in their midst to clear their names.