We Won’t Rescind Order On Herdsmen – Ondo Govt

The Ondo State Government has said it will not rescind the order which asked herdsmen to vacate the forest reserves in the state.

This was stated by the Senior Special Adviser (Security Matters) to Ondo State Governor, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo, during an interview with Vanguard.

Dojumo said the herdsmen who wish to remain in the forests doing their business must register with the state.

He aid this would enable the state to differentiate between criminals and legitimate herders.

He aid, “This is a security matter and it is not for public consumption but I want to advise those operating within the forest legally to register with the state government. Let them disobey and we know how to carry out our directive, it is not when we start speaking on the pages of newspapers before we know what to do and we are not even out for confrontation.

“The truth is that if they still want to remain in the forest, let them come and register, we want to know the people occupying our forest. If people want to live in your house, you should know them and identify them, so we want to know those occupying our forest and no illegal occupants.

“lf they are ready to cooperate, no problem, the order is that they should quit the forest or register with the state government and whoever that wants to farm or do any other business within the forest, there must be means of identification and we must know their origin. Government will not rescind the order. We are determined put an end to kidnapping and killings in the state. Those perpetrating the heinous act are using the forest to cover their crimes and we stressed the need to flush out criminals from the forest.”