Insecurity: Herdsman cannot vacate Ondo State – Presidency replies Akeredolu
The presidency has countered Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s directive for herdsmen to vacate forest reserves in the state within 7 days where he explained that the order had become imperative due to the increasing incidents of kidnap cases in the state.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, He stated that the herdsmen cannot vacate the state adding that Akeredolu, being a senior lawyer would be the least expected to unilaterally expel thousands of herders who have lived all their lives in the state on account of the infiltration of the forests by criminals.
“Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, a seasoned lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and indeed, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has fought crime in his state with passion and commitment, greater sensitivity and compassion for the four years he has run its affairs and, in our view, will be the least expected to unilaterally oust thousands of herders who have lived all their lives in the state on account of the infiltration of the forests by criminals,” the statement partly read.
“If this were to be the case, rights groups will be right in expressing worries that the action could set off a chain of events which the makers of our constitution foresaw and tried to guard against.
“We want to make it clear that kidnapping, banditry and rustling are crimes, no matter the motive or who is involved. But, to define crime from the nameplates, as a number of commentators have erroneously done- which group they belong to, the language they speak, their geographical location or their faith is atavistic and cruel.”
According to Shehu, kidnapping, banditry and rustling are crimes no matter the motives or who is involved.
that is a total nonsense from the presidency… he is the leaders of his state and has the vetoed power to do what is good for his people and the herders can either go back to there states or somewhere else….
I don’t think Garba sheu knows what he is saying, you said is crime no matter how people call it and the number one of the state said they should register otherwise they should leave and you are saying nonsense.
You better don’t listen to him, nobody takes him serious anymore he will just be talking anyhow.
Governor Akeredolu didn’t unilaterally expel but telling them that if they can’t fish out those ones who are terrorising the state, they should vacated the forestry not State.
This presidency is confused, instead of joining hands together and curb this menace of this insecurity they are still adding to it.