Ondo Kidnappers Get 14-Day Ultimatum To Quit Forests
—Aiyedatiwa mobilises security agencies, hunters to raid hideouts
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has issued a 14-day ultimatum to kidnappers and other criminal elements operating from forest reserves across the state to vacate their hideouts or face security action.
The governor also mobilised security agencies and hunters as part of efforts to flush out criminals from the forests and create a safer environment for farmers, investors, timber contractors and other legitimate businesses.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Forestry, Hon. Bidemi Joshua Obayangban, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Akure, the state capital.
Obayangban said security was a major requirement for the state government’s plan to transform and develop its forestry sector.
He said the government could not attract investors or encourage legitimate economic activities in the forest reserves without first guaranteeing the safety of those operating there.
“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.
“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.”
According to him, the state government has concluded plans aimed at tackling kidnapping and other illegal activities in the forests.
He said security agencies and hunters across Ondo had agreed to work with the government in the operation.
“It is important to note that all security agencies and hunters across Ondo State are in complete accord and are working in close collaboration with the government to achieve this,” Obayangban said.
He added that although Governor Aiyedatiwa preferred a discreet and action-oriented approach to security matters, the government was determined to confront the criminals.
“While the Governor prefers a discreet, action-oriented approach to security, I am authorised to state that the time for these criminals is up,” he said.
Reiterating the government’s ultimatum, Obayangban said the criminals had 14 days to leave the state’s forests.
“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 warned.
The governor’s aide said the planned security operation represented the first phase of a broader strategy to revitalise Ondo’s forestry sector.
He maintained that the government’s economic development plans could not succeed in an environment where insecurity threatens legitimate businesses and livelihoods.
The administration is therefore combining security measures with its plans to unlock the economic potential of the state’s forest reserves.
