By Aiyeku Timothy
President Muhammad Buhari has backed Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, to flush out all criminals in the state, especially those in the forest reserves.
In a statement by the Ondo State Commissioner of Information, Donald Ojogo, he said the President gave his stand on the matter when he met with the Governor, at the State House, Abuja on Wednesday.
Governor Akeredolu refused to speak to State House correspondents at the end of his close doors meeting with the President at Aso Rock in Abuja.
The statement said that Governor Akeredolu briefed the President regarding the precarious security situation in the South West region, especially his state during the meeting.
It said the meeting was centered on the issue of security in the Southwest and Ondo State in particular.
“It was a huge opportunity for the governor to put the records straight as regards the erroneous impression that Governor Akeredolu had asked all Fulani and herdsmen to vacate the state.
“The meeting afforded both leaders a great window to explore ingenious methods to tackle the issue of insecurity in the region.
“In particular, Governor Akeredolu sought and, indeed, obtained the President’s support and encouragement to flush out criminals in the forests of Ondo State.”
Following the high rate of kidnappings, raping of women and killings allegedly being committed by criminals hiding in forests across Ondo State, Governor Akeredolu gave killer herdsmen a seven-day ultimatum to vacate the areas.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President, Garba Shehu, in a statement cautioned Akeredolu against the move, saying the herders cannot leave the forests for any reason.
Last Monday, the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, at a meeting said Akeredolu’s statement was misinterpreted.
Fayemi insisted that Governor Akaredolu cannot ask Fulani to vacate Ondo State.
