Aiyedatiwa vows to prosecute sponsors of kidnapping, violent crimes in Ondo
…meets Miyetti Allah leaders, blames inter-state migration to insecurity …Our members are not criminals but we are ready to collaborate and root out the marauders – herders Ondo State Governor
...meets Miyetti Allah leaders, blames inter-state migration to insecurity
...Our members are not criminals but we are ready to collaborate and root out the marauders - herders
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has warned that individuals sponsoring kidnappings and other violent crimes in the state, particularly influential “godfathers,” will face the full weight of the law once apprehended.
The governor revealed that intelligence reports available to his administration indicate that some prominent figures are backing criminal elements responsible for kidnappings and violent activities in parts of Ondo State.
Aiyedatiwa spoke on Tuesday during a meeting at the Government House in Akure with leaders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and key stakeholders in the state’s security sector.
He expressed deep concern over the escalating security challenges, highlighting a resurgence of kidnapping for ransom, especially in Ilu-Abo community in Akure North Local Government Area.
“The situation in Ilu-Abo, just a few metres from Akure town, is alarming. The community has recorded at least three violent kidnapping cases within the past two months,” he said, emphasizing the urgency of decisive action against those fueling insecurity.
"If investigations trace any criminal activity to anyone, whether they have legitimate business or not, they will be treated like criminals. No godfather, sponsor or collaborator will be spared," Aiyedatiwa vows.
He also revealed that intelligence reports had indicated that some criminal elements displaced by security operations in neighbouring states such as Kwara and Kogi states are moving into Ondo through the border towns.
Aiyedatiwa said many of the suspects reportedly move under the cover of cattle herding routes, using cattle as shields while moving at night.
The governor further stated that his administration could not stop legitimate cattle rearing businesses, noting that cattle trading remained an important economic activity but stressed the need for cooperation with herders’ association to identify criminal elements hiding within the system.
"We know many of you are doing legitimate businesses. But there are some who rustle cattle or use cattle as shield 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," he said.
However, he warned that security agencies might be forced to intensify operations if collaboration failed, urging the leaders of the herders association to provide intelligence that would 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.
The present administration, Aiyedatiwa said, was considering requests from the Fulani community to establish vigilante groups among their members to assist in security operations.
He said such arrangements would require approval and supervision from security agencies, reiterating that the government was working on providing logistics support for surveillance efforts within the herders’ community.
Affirming that his administration would dealt with the marauders and their collaborators terrorising the people, the governor called on 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 about movements while others take victims into the forest," he maintained.
The Governor disclosed that security agencies had arrested about 90 suspects in connection with kidnapping and related crimes in the state, adding that some of those arrested were already making confessional statements.
The Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties to the Governor, Bola Taiwo, said the meeting was convened to enable leaders of the Fulani community brief the governor on steps they intended to take to address insecurity in the state.
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Earlier, the Chairman of the state chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, (MACBAN), 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.
He disclosed that the association planned to engage Fulani communities across the state and work with security agencies at the local government level to identify and eliminate criminal elements.
Maunde, however, proposed the establishment of Fulani vigilante groups made up of herders who were familiar with the forests and grazing routes, suggesting that such groups would help in identifying criminals and improving seecurity.
