By Ayodele Oni
Ondo state Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has rolled out some measures aimed at arresting insecurity in the state just as cultists are on prowl in the state
Governor Akeredolu, in a state broadcast on Friday directed traditional rulers in the State to seek Government approval before allowing any group to settle in their domains.
Saying any contrary measure to the directive would be sanctioned, the Governor advised residents to be vigilant and report any untoward movement in their areas to relevant security agencies.
Other measures include order to traditional rulers to contain the activities of cultists in their domain or face sanction by the Government according to the law
“The State Government will not hesitate to impose 24- hour curfew on any community where there are crises and any culpable traditional rulers shall be sanctioned.
“Every individual having illegal firearms are advised to submit them to the security agencies as government has mandated the security agencies to prosecute any person found with such weapons; and Parents are advised to control their wards on the use of drugs and other enablers as security agencies have been mandated to be on guard with a view to apprehending users of such drugs.
“We are also concerned with various chieftaincy and land tussles in some communities in the State. Chieftaincy tussles are ill-winds that have never blown anyone any good.
“It is a known fact that bitter tussles are capable of derailing society, stability and development programmes of government.
These tussles, if not carefully managed, could lead to conflagrations, especially when they assume ethnic or political colourations in view of the current tense situation in the country.
“The instant case of Ikare-Akoko where the perennial crisis between Olukare and Owa Ale has dominated the length and breadth of the community in the last 72 hours is a cause for concern.
“Lives have been lost and properties destroyed over a minor chieftaincy in the community. As a way of stemming further crisis, government has imposed 24-hour curfew on the entire Ikare-Akoko till further notice.
“The immediate cause of the current crisis is the contention as to who is the rightful Olokoja. Thus, government has also suspended the chieftaincy till further notice. Nobody should henceforth parade himself as the Olokoja.
“We have noticed some serious matters that we need to address before they degenerate into an unmanageable proportion. These include but not limited to the following areas:
“Influx of strange faces into our State; activities of cultists; irresponsible use of the social media; Chieftaincy tussles and Land disputes.
“It will be recalled that about 42 persons whose suspicious presence had caused a security scare around the Army Barracks, Okitipupa some days ago, obviously created some level of curiosity and anxiety. These persons who were allegedly transported from the North for a non-existent security training have since been profiled by Amotekun Corps before repatriation to their respective States.
“I have instructed our security agencies to confront with renewed vigour, all criminal elements in our State. Any individual found carrying illegal weapons should be arrested and prosecuted.
“Any herder who is not properly registered in our forest reserves should vacate the place, I reiterate. One emerging security concern that our State is facing is the unfortunate activities of cultists.
“The State Government has observed lately, the upsurge in their violent activities in the State. Our administration frowns on this development. A situation where our State has been turned to battleground for rival cult groups shall no longer be tolerated.
“Let me sound a note of warning to all cult groups and their sponsors that we will not spare any efforts in dealing with anyone caught engaging in dastardly acts.
“Towards this end, I have instructed our security agencies to clampdown on all cultists in Ondo State and deal decisively with any persons found engaging in cult-related activities and ensure that they are arrested and prosecuted in line with extant laws.
“The flash points of these cult activities are Ikare-Akoko, Owo, Okitipupa and Igbokoda. We have noted with deep concern that their activities are more prevalent in Owo than any other towns in Ondo State.”
