Ondo Govt Cries Out as Herdsmen Raise Vigilantes
The Ondo State government Monday cried out over reports that Fulani herdsmen have raised vigilante in the state.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Ondo State, , Mr. Donald Ojogo, state government called for the arrest of any unauthorized persons who claims to be of the Fulani vigilantes.
The statement reads: “the Ondo State Government observes with concern trending pictures of identity card carrying men identified as Fulani vigilantes in the Akoko area of the state. Various claims have been as regards the activities, duties as well as supposed mandate of these men in question.
“It is pertinent to recall that at the height of the incessant kidnap cases, the Ondo State Government took some far-reaching drastic measures which included marching orders to the law-abiding Hausa/Fulani leadership in the area to fish out criminal elements among them who took advantage of the rosy relationship between the indigenes and their law-abiding guests.
“As a measure to curb and possibly, stamp out cases of kidnap in the area, the Hausa/Fulani leadership was directed to select a handful of trusted men amongst them who could serve as tour guards in the thick forest as security agencies prepared to comb the forests. This measure yielded results.”
“It is important to note however, that while government appreciates the efforts of those who volunteered to provide information and served as tour guards to the security agencies in the ongoing operations in the area, it will not tolerate any unathourised move by any group to take an undue advantage of the current state of insecurity in the country.
“ Succinctly, government, having been unaware of any such identity card carrying persons in the name of a vigilante group, has directed security agencies to get to the root of the matter and apprehend any such person or group of persons operating in that manner.”
Ondo State Governor who is also the Chairman of the South-west Governors Forum Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, had during a condolence visit to the leader of Pan Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti in Akure, said the six governors of Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Lagos and Ogun were not happy about the evil activities of the herdsmen.
He said the governors have resolved to take drastic actions to check killings and kidnapping in the South-west.
According to him, the forests in the West were being used as hiding places by some bandits.
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