By Funmilayo Akinyemi/Akure
The Ondo State Government says it has introduced a new policy to regulate access to its forests.
The State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who announced the decision in an interview with Channels TV, noted that the new policy will help to curb the rising incidence of kidnapping.
He cited the need for tighter security measures to protect the State’s forests.
According to the Governor, some kidnapping incidents in the region have been linked to individuals arriving in trailers without clear identification or destination.
“The new policy, he said, aims to ensure that only authorized individuals with legitimate reasons are granted access to the forests.
“Farmers and hunters will be allowed to continue their activities, provided they can produce valid identification and proof of their intentions.
“However, individuals traveling in large groups without clear intentions or identification will face closer scrutiny.
“The state government will also be keeping a close eyes on people attempting to enter the State with motorcycles for illegal activities, such as unlicensed ‘Okada’ [commercial motorcycle] riding,” he said.
“We are really securing our forest. We want to know who and who are there. Whether we have some farmers there, who are farming genuinely, or genuine local hunters because you can only hunt in the forest.
“It is not as if the forest is totally closed up, but we need to know the activities in our forest.” Governor Aiyedatiwa added.
He, therefore, urged members of the public to cooperate with the new policy, stating that it was designed to ensure the safety and security of all citizens.
