Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has issued a 14-day ultimatum to criminals operating within the state’s forest reserves to evacuate the forests. The Government
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Forestry, Mr Bidemi Obayangban, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen today in Akure.
Obayangban said the governor’s order was mainly aimed at kidnappers and other criminals who use the woodlands as their hideouts.
He said it was part of efforts to improve security and provide a safe environment for legitimate commercial activity.
“Security is a prerequisite for the state government’s plans to develop the forestry sector and attract investors,” Obayangban said.
‘Without utmost security to protect investors, farmers, timber contractors and people conducting lawful business within Ondo State’s forest reserves, a vision is effectively meaningless,’ he stated.
He said the administration had chalked out steps to check the kidnap and other criminal activities in the forests of the state.
He said security forces and hunters across the state were working with the government in the bid to restore security to the forest reserves.
“The Aiyedatiwa administration’s major concern is to rid our forests of criminal elements, therefore. We are bringing the fight to their doorstep.
“The government is committed to this aim and has completed comprehensive plans to eradicate kidnapping and other illegal activities in our borders,” he said.
The governor prefers a quiet and action-oriented approach to security concerns, Obayangban stated, but he reiterated the determination of the government to take back the forests from criminal elements.
“I want to use this opportunity to declare that the state government is giving these people 14 days to vacate the Ondo State forests.
“If they don’t do it, they will meet their Waterloo,” he remarked.
Restoring security in the forests is also key to the government’s broader strategy to revive the forestry sector and encourage lawful economic operations, Obayangban said.
The administration, he said, was aware that there could be no sustained economic progress under an atmosphere of insecurity for farmers, investors and other lawful businesses.
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