Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State met with the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) on Tuesday to discuss the spate of insecurity in the state.

Other Fulani elders from the three senatorial districts also attended the meeting.

Mr Aiyedatiwa, during the meeting in his office, said the state government would not rest until the state was rid of criminal elements.

“According to some intelligence reports, the recent operations in Kogi and Kwara States to dislodge some criminal elements have made them think the state would be a safe haven, but they are wrong.

“This meeting is not holding for the first time. You need to rid yourselves of bad eggs and also report any criminal elements you notice.

“Anyone found sponsoring criminal activities, including kidnapping, in Ondo State will face the full weight of the law,” he said.

The governor, who expressed concern over the recent spate of kidnappings, killings, and road blockades in some parts of the state, particularly Ilu-Abo and Uso communities, stressed that “security agencies were on top of the situation.”

He said security agencies had so far arrested 99 suspects who were currently making statements on various degrees of involvement in the crises across the state.

The governor said that those genuinely engaged in cattle rearing cannot be deprived, as criminals often hide among the cows.

“You will be able to know if they are genuine or have rushed to some cattle breeders, using them as a shield to gain entrance to another territory, because you are in that profession.

“You know yourselves and your people. Some of your people are also being attacked to take their cattle, which is why we have to work together. It is very, very important because it is the only way.

“As long as I’m in this seat, myself and other members of the government have resolved that anybody can live freely in any part of the country, including Ondo State.

“Now, we have been noticing kidnapping for ransom, which used to be very rampant. It reduced before, but recently, it’s coming up again.

“I begin to wonder, where is this coming from again? That is why we must not rest on our oars. We have to wake up and tackle it together,“ he said.

The chairman of MACBAN in Ondo, Abubakar Mande, said the association would continue to cooperate with the government to expose criminals within its ranks to ensure a peaceful society.

“Not all Fulani living in the state are criminals. The peace of the state is our own peace too,” he added.

(NAN)