Aiyedatiwa Meets Miyetti Allah To Strengthen Security In Ondo

bY DAMILOLA ORIGBEMISUYI, Akure

Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, yesterday held a security meeting with leaders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) to tackle rising kidnapping cases in the state.

The governor vowed a decisive crackdown on kidnappers and their collaborators, warning that no sponsor, godfather, or financier of criminal activities would escape justice once identified

He expressed concern over increasing abduction incidents, revealing that one community alone had recorded several kidnapping cases in the past two months. He described the trend as alarming.

He also urged traditional rulers, community leaders and parents to caution youths against engaging in criminal activities.

“Crime is usually carried out by syndicates, some Fulani, some locals. Some provide information while others take victims into the forest,” Aiyedatiwa said. He stressed the need for coordinated efforts to dismantle criminal networks.

Governor Aiyedatiwa revealed that intelligence reports had indicated that some criminal elements displaced by security operations in neighbouring states such as Kwara and Kogi might be attempting to move into Ondo State.

According to him, many of the suspects reportedly move under the cover of cattle herding routes, using cattle as shields while moving at night.

He noted that the government could not stop legitimate cattle-rearing businesses, saying that cattle trading remained an important economic activity.

‎However, he stressed the need to cooperate with herders’ associations to identify criminal elements within the system.

He added “We know many of you are doing legitimate businesses. But there are some who rustle cattle or use cattle as shields to move into territories. You are the ones who can identify them because you know your profession and your people. Some of your members are also victims of cattle rustling.”

‎The Governor warned that security agencies might be forced to intensify operations if collaboration failed, a situation he said could also affect innocent herders and their cattle.

‎He therefore urged the association’s leaders to provide intelligence to help security agencies identify criminals.

‎“As long as I remain governor, anybody can live freely in any part of the country, including Ondo State. But when you are here, obey the law of the land and conduct your business within the ambit of the law,” he said.

‎Speaking on behalf of Fulani leaders, the chairman of the state chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Ali Abubakar Maunde, said insecurity in the state had become a concern for all stakeholders.

‎Maunde said the association had been collaborating with security agencies and government officials, but stressed that criminal activities should not be blamed solely on Fulani herders.

‎“There are many people behind these crimes, not just Fulani alone. But we, as representatives of the Fulani, are working day and night to eradicate bad elements among us,” he said.