Aiyedatiwa Meets Miyetti Allah, Others Over Rising Insecurity in Ondo
by Momodu Favour
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State on Tuesday met with leaders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and other stakeholders over the rising cases of kidnapping and insecurity in parts of the state.
The meeting, held in Akure, the state capital, followed recent protests by residents of Akure North Local Government Area who took to the streets over a series of abductions in their communities.
The protesters had earlier blocked the Akure–Owo expressway, leaving travellers stranded, to express frustration over the increasing attacks by suspected bandits. Their anger was triggered by the kidnapping of five persons within 24 hours in separate incidents, including an attack in Ilu Abo community which led to the killing of one victim.
During the meeting, the leadership of MACBAN dismissed claims that Fulani herders were solely responsible for the recent wave of kidnappings in the state. The association said criminal activities in the area involved individuals from different ethnic backgrounds.
Speaking on behalf of the Fulani community, the state chairman of MACBAN, Ali Maunde, said the group had been working closely with security agencies to identify and eliminate criminal elements.
He noted that insecurity had become a major concern for all stakeholders and urged residents not to attribute the crimes to a single ethnic group.
“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,” Maunde said.
He also revealed that the association planned to engage Fulani communities across the state and collaborate with security agencies at the local government level to identify criminals hiding among herders.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, however, warned that the state government would not hesitate to clamp down on kidnappers and their sponsors, stressing that anyone found aiding criminal activities would face the full weight of the law.
“If investigations traced 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,” the governor said.
The governor disclosed that intelligence reports indicated that some criminal elements displaced by security operations in neighbouring states such as Kwara State and Kogi State might be attempting to infiltrate Ondo.
According to him, some suspects reportedly move under the cover of cattle herding routes, sometimes using cattle as shields while travelling at night.
While acknowledging that cattle rearing and trading remain legitimate economic activities, Aiyedatiwa said the state government would work closely with herders’ associations 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,” he said.
He warned that security agencies might intensify operations if cooperation fails, noting that such actions could also affect innocent herders and their cattle.
“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 added.
The governor also revealed that the state government was considering requests from the Fulani community to establish vigilante groups among their members to support security operations, noting that such arrangements would require approval and supervision by security agencies.
Earlier, the Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Bola Taiwo, explained that the meeting was convened to allow Fulani leaders brief the governor on the steps being taken to address insecurity in the state.
