Farmers, forest guards and the members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in Ondo State on Thursday staged a protest against the incessant abduction of their members allegedly by some gunmen suspected to be herdsmen.
They also gave their support to the order by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to the herdsmen the forest reserves in the state, saying the order was in the interest of their security.
The current level of insecurity in the state would lead to chaos and famine, if not checkmated, they said.
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu gave the order on Monday as part of measures to arrest the tide of rising cases of kidnapping, which have been traced largely to Fulanis masquerading as herdsmen in the forests.
“All Forest Reserves in the state are to be vacated by herdsmen within the next 7 days with effect from today, Monday 18th January 2021.
“Night-grazing is banned with immediate effect because most farm destruction takes place at night.
“Movement of cattle within cities and highways is prohibited.
“Under-aged grazing of cattle is outlawed.
“Our resolution to guarantee the safety of lives and property within the state shall remain utmost as security agencies have been directed to enforce the ban.
“In its usual magnanimity, our administration will give a grace period of seven days for those who wish to carry on with their cattle-rearing business to register with appropriate authorities.”
However, a day after the state government’s order, the Presidency issued an order countering the governor and declared that the herdsmen cannot leave the forests.
