Ondo Governor Gives Criminals 14-Day Ultimatum to Vacate Forest Reserves

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has given kidnappers and other criminal elements operating in the state’s forest reserves 14 days to vacate the area.

The governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Forestry, Bidemi Obayangban, disclosed this on Wednesday in Akure, saying the directive is part of the government’s efforts to restore security and create a safe environment for legitimate economic activities.

Obayangban said the government was working with security agencies and local hunters across the state to tackle kidnapping and other criminal activities in the forests.

He stressed that improved security was essential to the government’s plans to develop the forestry sector and attract investors, while also protecting farmers, timber contractors and other legitimate businesses.

According to him, the administration has concluded plans to reclaim the forest reserves from criminal elements and prevent them from being used as hideouts.

Obayangban said the governor had adopted a discreet but action-oriented approach to security, adding that the government remained committed to eliminating kidnapping and other illegal activities in the state’s forests.

He warned that criminals who fail to leave the forests within the 14-day period would face security operations aimed at flushing them out.