The Governor Kayode Fayemi-led government of Ekiti State on Wednesday debunked claims that herdsmen fleeing Ondo State are relocating to Ekiti forest.
The Maize Growers Processing Marketer Association of Nigeria (MAGPAMAN) in Ekiti State had on Tuesday told newsmen in Ado Ekiti that its members’ farms worth N10 million was destroyed by suspected herdsmen.
It said the maize farms, over 235 hectares of land and located in the forest reserve in Aduloju, along Ado-Ijan road, in Ado Local Government Area, were completely grazed and destroyed.
The destruction was blamed on herdsmen, who allegedly were fleeing Ondo State following the expiration of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s order for unregistered herders to vacate the state’s forest reserves over insecurity.
However, in its response to the matter in a statement the State Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, Akin Omole, made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti, the state government said it was not true that herdsmen from Ondo had relocated to Ekiti forest.
He said that the Governor Fayemi led government was working with relevant security agencies including the State Amotekun Corps to monitor the state boundaries round the clock in order to ensure the lives and property of residents in the state remained secured.
On the destruction of the maize farm, the commissioner said the incident was being looked into by the state government and security operatives.
Omole added, “The State Government sympathises with all those who were affected by this and would like the community to be assured that no efforts will be spared to ensure that Ekiti citizens are able to conduct their affairs in peace, unhindered by criminals of any kind.”
He called on residents in the state to discard the relocation report and go about their lawful business without any fear of losing their lives and property.