Back herdsmen vacation order with law, Senator tells Akeredolu

The Senator representing Ondo South senatorial district, Senator Nicholas Tofowomo, has advised Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to give legal backing to his vacation order on herdsmen in forest reserves in the state.

Governor Akeredolu had given seven days ultimatum to herdsmen to vacate Ondo forest reserves as part of his measures to curb kidnappings in the state.

The seven days ultimatum expires Sunday.

Senator Tofowomo who declared total support for Governor Akeredolu’s decision advised him to take a step further by making it law through the State House of Assembly.

Tofowomo, in a statement by his spokesman, Akinrinlola Olumide, said it was a good decision against criminal activities of some herdsmen holding residents in the state to ransom.

“While declaring my total support for the decision of the governor to evict criminals from our forest reserves with the registration of genuine herdsmen and farmers who are into businesses in Ondo State, I urge him to take a step further by making it a law.

“He should package a law to the State House of Assembly to put an end to banditry, and kidnapping being orchestrated by the bad eggs among the Fulanis who are hiding under the guise of herdsmen.

“With that, criminals would be separated from those doing genuine businesses in Ondo State. It is only a bandit that would support a bandit and it is only a kidnapper that would support a kidnapper.

“I stand with Mr Governor on his decision. And I advise all the genuine herdsmen to vacate the forest reserves and obey the governor’s directive by going through the appropriate ministry for registration.”