Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has given criminal elements operating in the state’s forest reserves a 14-day ultimatum to vacate the forests.
The directive was disclosed on Wednesday by the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Forestry, Bidemi Obayangban, during an interview with journalists in Akure.
The state government said the measure was aimed at addressing criminal activities allegedly taking place within the forest reserves.
Security agencies mobilised
Reports indicate that the state government is working with security agencies and local hunters as part of efforts to clear the forests of suspected criminal elements.
The directive comes amid longstanding security concerns in parts of Ondo State, particularly around kidnapping and the use of forested areas as hideouts.
The state government’s ultimatum means individuals engaged in criminal activities within the affected areas are expected to leave within the specified 14-day period or face enforcement action.
Vanguard reported that the state government had also moved to mobilise security agencies and hunters to raid suspected hideouts.
Forest security
Forest reserves can present difficult security challenges because of their size, dense vegetation and limited accessibility.
For authorities, securing such areas involves a combination of intelligence gathering, surveillance, patrols and cooperation between security agencies and local communities.
The Ondo government has now placed the forest reserves under renewed security focus, with the 14-day deadline serving as its latest warning to criminal elements operating in the areas.
The government has not indicated that all activity in the forests is criminal, but the directive is specifically aimed at suspected criminals and illegal activities identified by the authorities.
