Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has given herders 7 days to vacate the forest reserves in the state. The governor also banned night grazing with immediate effect.
The governor, in a statement released on Monday, said the decision was based on the state of insecurity in Ondo State.
The order came as gunmen late Sunday abducted passengers of a bus along the Ilesa-Akure Expressway.
Details of how the abduction took place were not immediately available but Prince Deji Aladesawe, the Osun State Coordinator of Oodua Peoples Congress, told The PUNCH on Monday that the kidnapping took place between Erin Ijesa and Omo Ijesa both located along Ilesa-Akure Expressway.
Akeredolu, in his announcement, noted that bad elements have turned the forest reserves into hideouts for keeping victims of kidnapping, negotiating for ransom and carrying out other criminal activities.
“All Forest Reserves in the State are to be vacated by herdsmen within the next 7 days with effect from today, Monday 18th January 2021,” Akeredolu said.
“Night-grazing is banned with immediate effect because most farm destruction takes place at night. The movement of cattle within cities and highways is prohibited. Under-aged grazing of cattle is outlawed.
“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. In its usual magnanimity, our administration will give a grace period of seven days for those who wish to carry on with their cattle-rearing business to register with appropriate authorities.”
Speaking on the abducted passengers, the Commandant, Osun Amotekun Corps, Brig. Gen. Bashir Adewinbi (rtd.), said operatives of the corps had been deployed in the area.
Adewinbi, however, said it was not clear how many of the passengers had been abducted.
When contacted, Yemisi Opalola, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, explained that two people were abducted, adding that one of the victims had been rescued.