By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

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The seven days ultimatum issued to herdsmen to quit the state forest reserves is a good intention meant to secure the lives and property of the people.
This was the position of the Lawmakers in the Ondo State House of Assembly while reacting to various positions by interest groups on the vacation order issued by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
Following incessant cases of kidnapping and other criminal activities traceable to herders in the state forest reserves, Governor Akeredolu at a meeting with the leadership of Fulani herdsmen ordered unregistered members of the cattle rearers association to vacate the forests within seven days.
In a press statement signed by the Chairman,House Committee on Information, Youth and Sports Development, Akogun Olugbenga Omole, the lawmakers lamented the loss of lives and property attributed to the nefarious activities of herders in Ondo State.
” The mindless killing of the daughter of Afenifere leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, the gruesome murder of the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Adewusi, the recent killing of the Deputy Registrar of the Federal University of Technology Akure among others are still very fresh in our memory”
While commending Governor Akeredolu for his courage in issuing the vacation order, the lawmakers condemned the statement credited to the presidential spokesperson Garba Shehu criticising the stance of the Governor.

While pledging their support for the quit notice given by the Governor,the lawmakers stated that they may have to cut short their recess to attend to this burning issue.They urged registered herders to go about their legitimate duties without fear.