Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has issued a 14-day ultimatum to criminals operating within the state’s forest reserves to leave the forests.
Mr Bidemi Obayangban, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Forestry, disclosed this during an interview with newsmen on Wednesday in Akure.
Obayangban explained that the governor’s directive is aimed specifically at kidnappers and other criminals who use the forests as hideouts.
He noted that it formed part of efforts to enhance security and provide a safe environment for legitimate economic activities.
Obayangban stated that security remained a prerequisite for the state government’s plans to develop the forestry sector and draw in investors.
“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.
He stated that the administration had concluded plans to tackle kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state’s forests.
He stated that security agencies and hunters throughout the state were working together with the government in the bid to bring back security to the forest reserves.
“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.
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Obayangban pointed out that 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.
“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,” he said.
Obayangban mentioned that restoring security to the forests was also critical to the government’s broader plan to revitalise the forestry sector and promote legitimate economic activities.
He stated that the administration acknowledged sustainable economic growth could not be attained in a setting where farmers, investors, and other legitimate operators faced insecurity.
