We Don’t Have Discriminatory Laws In Ondo, Gov Akeredolu Tells Visiting Northern Leaders

By Ayodele Oni

Visiting northern leaders to Ondo state have thrown their support behind the state government for not allowing illegal immigrants to reside in the state.

The leaders, from Kano, Jigawa and Kogi states pledged their support with Ondo state government to make the state a crime free one.

Leader of the team and National President of the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria, Dr Mohammed Tahir, spoke during a courtesy call to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Akure.

The team, which was received on behalf of the Governor by the Special Adviser on Security matters who doubles as Commander, Amotekun corps,  Adetunji Adeleye, commended the Akeredolu-led administration for ensuring that peace reigns in the state.

“We appreciate Akeredolu’s achievements and continued efforts on security matters in Ondo state. We are not happy with all our people that comes here illegally. We need to have relationship with your team on how to tackle crime and criminality because your strides have made Ondo state number one crime-free state.

“Crime rate in the state is very low. We hear, see and read about it everywhere as you people are doing wonderfully well in capturing criminals in the state.

“We also appreciate your efforts in ensuring the safety and how you have been handling our people who came in illegally into the state and how you facilitate their return to Kano state,

“it is highly encouraging. I have met with our people and advised them to stop illegal loading of people in trucks to the southern parts of the country without destinations.

“We cattle rearers Association our official hiring of trucks is N600,000 which should carry about 35 cows. We don’t know the reasons and how mechanics and human beings should smuggle themselves with cows through trucks from the north.

“On this note, we are very angry at their behaviour and we sincerely appreciate your smooth and matured ways of handling the situation.

“This relationship with your team is commendable and would enable us to know how best to handle insecurity in our various states.”

Addressing the visitors, the Governor’s Aide said “Our Governor likes visitors, he protects visitors with all his might, but will not allow visitors to come and cause havoc and truncate the reigning peace in Ondo state.

“That is why when we see strangers with questionable manners, we look for vehicles and ensure their safety back home because our Governor sees them as Nigerians who are from somewhere.

“In cases where they don’t know where they are going to, but know where they are coming from, we will send them back to where they are coming from, providing all logistics to take care of them.

Ondo state is not against Hausa, Fulani or any other tribes. We have been living together for a long time. The law that guides the Yoruba man in Ondo state is the same law that protects the Hausa or Fulani man in Ondo state as well.

“Ondo state is not against any tribe, but the state Governor is fully against criminal activities. Governor Akeredolu loves visitors, but would not condole indiscipline or criminality. He likes you, he is happy with you, but will not be happy with criminals.

“That is why we, Amotekun Corps are here and we are working with other security Agencies in the state, such as; the Police, Army, DSS and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) to ensure the state is safe. Nobody can hold you when you are going about your legitimate duty or business.”

Others in the team are Ahmed lbrahim, Abdullahi Abubakar Vice President Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle dealers of Nigeria, North Central Zone ; Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, NURTW Chairman,  Kano State and Hassan Adamu Vice-chairman cattle rearers.