The state government has washed its hands clean from the purported importation of Fulani herdsmen to Ajowa Akoko Community in the state.
The government noted that the opposition party was only planning to use the matter to discredit the present Administration of Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
The state government has ordered the arrest of those who facilitated (accomplices) the importation of the over 200 herdsmen into Ajowa Akoko.
In a press statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Donald Ojogo, the state government alleged opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was trying to create distrust between the people and the government.
The state government described the insinuation as another antic and mischief by the opposition PDP in the state to discredit the present administration in the state
Ojogo said :”Understandably, PDP’s ill-motivated reasoning and perversion have a clear motive: to create a situation of distrust between the people and the Government and to a large extent, paint the State Governor in a bad light. This is a failed mission.
“For the records, the influx of the strangers to Ajowa Akoko was indeed reported to the Government after the community had chased the intruders away. From preliminary reports at the disposal of Government, these people were not Fulani of Nigerian descent but foreigners.
“It is to be noted however, that an indigene of Ajowa Akoko who is alleged to be responsible for the unauthorised movement of these foreigners to the town has been placed under security watch. Mr Governor has consequently, ordered his immediate arrest and interrogation without further delay.”
Ojogo said shanties built by suspected Fulani in an industrial layout in Akure without authorisation had been evacuated by security agencies on the orders of the State Government.
Full text of the Press Statement:
RE-AKEREDOLU PLANS TO SETTLE HERDSMEN IN ONDO:
PUTTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT
The attention of the Ondo State Government has been drawn to the mischief of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) that Governor Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN plans to settle herdsmen in the State.
Understandably, PDP’s ill-motivated reasoning and perversion have a clear motive: to create a situation of distrust between the people and the Government and to a large extent, paint the State Governor in a bad light. This is a failed mission.
For the records, the influx of the strangers to Ajowa Akoko was indeed reported to the Government after the community had chased the intruders away. From preliminary reports at the disposal of Government, these people were not Fulani of Nigerian descent but foreigners.
It should also be noted that as at the time they were prevented from settling at Ajowa and subsequently chased to the boundary between Ondo and Kogi States, there were no cattle with them.
It is to be noted however, that an indigene of Ajowa Akoko who is alleged to be responsible for the unauthorised movement of these foreigners to the town has been placed under security watch. Mr Governor has consequently, ordered his immediate arrest and interrogation without further delay.
Also, the suspected collaborator of Araba, a Fulani butcher resident in Ajowa, is said to have been chased out of the town by restive youths.
In another development, shanties built by suspected Fulani in an industrial layout in Akure without authorisation have been evacuated by security agencies on the orders of the State Government.
Nonetheless, it is pertinent to state without prejudice to the hospitality of our people that, unathourised mass movement or influx into Ondo State will not be encouraged by Government. In the same vein, potential collaboration in this regard will not be tolerated.
All the same, the Ondo State Government frowns strongly at any form of self-help capable of jeopardizing cordial relationship among Nigerians irrespective of religion and ethnicity.
The Ondo State Government wishes to state unequivocally that the regional security outfit, Amotekun which is billed to be unveiled in Ibadan on the 9th of January will undoubtedly, create an atmosphere that will engender peaceful coexistence in the South West.
Donald Ojogo
Commissioner for Information and Orientation
Ondo State
