Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa gave criminals using the state’s forest reserves as hideouts 14 days to leave, his Senior Special Assistant on Forestry, Bidemi Obayangban, told reporters in Akure.

Bidemi Obayangban said the order was aimed at kidnappers and other illegal groups, and that security was needed before the government could develop forestry and bring in investors.

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“A vision without maximum security to ensure the safety of investors, farmers, timber contractors and those conducting legitimate business across Ondo State’s forest reserves is effectively meaningless,” Bidemi Obayangban said.

He said security agencies and hunters were working with the state. “Consequently, the primary focus of the Aiyedatiwa administration is to flush out criminal elements from our forests. We are taking the battle directly to them. The government is fully committed to this objective and has finalised comprehensive plans to eliminate kidnapping and other illegal activities within our borders.”

Bidemi Obayangban said Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa preferred quiet, practical security work, but the message to those in the reserves was blunt. “I am using this opportunity to announce that the state government is giving these individuals 14 days to vacate Ondo State forests. Failure to comply will result in them meeting their Waterloo.”