Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo has given criminals operating in the state’s forest reserves 14 days to vacate the forests in the state
The Senior Special Assistant on Forestry, Mr Bidemi Obayangban, made this known in an interview with newsmen on Wednesday in Akure.
According to Obayangban, the governor’s directive, is particularly targeted at kidnappers and other criminals using the forests as hideouts.
He said it was part of measures to improve security and create a safe environment for legitimate economic activities.
Obayangban said security remained a prerequisite for the state government’s plans to develop the forestry sector and attract 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 said the administration had concluded plans to tackle kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state’s forests.
According to him, security agencies and hunters across the state are collaborating with the government in the effort to restore 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.
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.
“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 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.
He said the administration recognised that sustainable economic growth can not be achieved in an environment where farmers, investors and other legitimate operators are exposed to insecurity.