Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s quit order to herdsmen in the Ondo state forest reserves has continue to gain support.
Scores of farmers, forest guards and the members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in the state on Thursday staged a protest in support of the governor.
They said the order was made in the interest of the security of lives and properties of the people of the state.
The protesters said they were tired of incessant abduction of their members allegedly by some gunmen suspected to be herdsmen.
The protesters, who carried placards with various inscriptions, said if the current state of insecurity was not quickly checked, it might lead to chaos and famine in the state.
NewsSpecng reported that Akeredolu gave the order as part of major steps at addressing the root cause of kidnapping and other nefarious activities in the state.
The Governor, who gave the order in a statement issued on his official Twitter handle on Monday, said the forests have been turned into a place for felons to carry out their criminal activities.
He said, “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.”
