Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has ordered massive recruitment to the Western Nigeria Security Network otherwise known as Amotekun.
This is happening as the deadline for herdsmen to vacate Ondo Forests draws nearer.
The governor had given the herdsmen a seven day notice to vacate the forests due to rising cases of insecurity.
The Commander of the corps in the state, Adetunji Adeleye, confirmed this development on Friday.
He had said “bad elements” have turned the forest reserves into hideouts for keeping victims of kidnapping, negotiating ransom and carrying out other criminal activities.
The governor’s directive had sparked different reactions, with Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, saying the governor could not unilaterally oust thousands of herders “who have lived all their lives in the state”.
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But Adeleye told the Cable, “The governor has ordered massive recruitment to the corps. The recruitment is free. You can download the form on our website.”
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The state Commissioner for Information, Donald Ojogo, also confirmed the authenticity of the recruitment exercise.
He said, “We have not repudiated the story.”
Meanwhile, Afenifere, Yoruba sociopolitical group, has said Shehu’s response showed that President Muhammadu Buhari’s government prioritise Fulani interests above those of other ethnic groups.
But the Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) had asked herders to ignore the governor’s directive.
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