Aiyedatiwa Issues 14-Day Ultimatum to Criminals Occupying Ondo Forests

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has ordered suspected kidnappers and other criminal elements using the state’s forest reserves as hideouts to leave within 14 days or face a major government crackdown.

The directive, aimed at clearing the forests of illegal occupants and restoring security so that legitimate economic activities can resume, was announced on Tuesday by Bidemi Obayangban, the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Forestry, in Akure.

Obayangban said the move forms part of renewed efforts by the state government to rid the forest reserves of criminals and bring peace to affected areas. 

He noted that comprehensive plans have already been finalized to tackle kidnapping and other illegal activities, with security agencies and local hunters working closely with the administration.

“The government will no longer allow criminal elements to frustrate legitimate economic activities in the forest reserves,” he stated. 

The safety of farmers, investors, timber contractors, and other lawful operators is central to the administration’s plan to revitalize the forestry sector.

“A vision without maximum security to ensure the safety of investors, farmers, timber contractors, and those conducting legitimate business across Ondo State’s forest reserves is effectively meaningless,” Obayangban said.

He emphasized that the government is taking the fight directly to the criminals through a discreet but action-oriented approach under Governor Aiyedatiwa. 

“The primary focus of the Aiyedatiwa administration is to flush out criminal elements from our forests and state. We are taking the battle directly to them. The government is fully committed to this objective and has finalized comprehensive plans to eliminate kidnapping and other illegal activities within our borders.”

Obayangban then issued the formal ultimatum: “I am using this opportunity to announce that the state government is giving these individuals 14 days to vacate Ondo State forests. Failure to comply will result in them meeting their Waterloo.”

He described securing the forests as the first phase of a broader strategy to restore lawful economic use of the reserves and attract investment into the forestry sector, stressing that meaningful development cannot occur while farmers and legitimate users remain exposed to criminal threats.