Governor commends security forces over Owo operation
By Dayo Johnson, Akure
AKURE — Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said his administration’s 14-day ultimatum to terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements operating from the state’s forests is yielding results
The governor spoke following a joint security operation in the Owo forest axis, where an alleged ISWAP commander, identified as Abdussamad Ohida, also known as Anwar, and several members of his group were reportedly killed
Aiyedatiwa had earlier issued a 14-day ultimatum directing terrorists and other criminal elements hiding in the state’s forests to vacate the areas or face coordinated security operations
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Forestry, Bidemi Joshua Obayangban, the governor commended the security agencies involved in the operation
He said the operation demonstrated his administration’s determination to reclaim the state’s forests from terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements
“The successful operation demonstrates that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s 14-day ultimatum is yielding results,” the statement said
“We commend the joint security forces for their courage and commitment in eliminating the ISWAP commander and members of his group
“The government will continue to support security agencies until criminal elements are completely flushed out of Ondo State’s forests”
Aiyedatiwa urged security agencies to sustain the operations until criminal groups were completely flushed out of the state’s forest reserves