The Ondo State Government has made it clear that it will not allow Miyetti Allah members to be vigilantes in the state.
This was conveyed in a statement by the state’s Commissioner of Information, Donald Ojogo, on Thursday, July 25, 2019.
The state government debunked the claims that members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) have become vigilantes in the state.
It described the claims as an orchestrated campaign to discredit the administration of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN and to incite the people against the Ondo state government.
“It is pertinent to recall that upon the circulation of the story on the social media about the purported formation of an armed vigilante group by the Miyetti Allah, Governor Akeredolu was swift in his reaction to the development.
“Not only did he disown the move, if at all. He indeed ordered the Police to effect the arrest of anyone or group which parades itself as Fulani Vigilante. The Governor’s position was decisive even as it was pointedly consequential.
“At the risk of repeating himself, Governor Akeredolu reaffirmed the position of the government on Tuesday, July 23 when he was accosted by reporters who sought further information on the matter.
“The leadership of the Miyetti Allah in the state has equally disowned the report and has even provided further insights into actionable steps to deal with whoever conducts self in a manner that does not conform with the position of the government.
“Succinctly, therefore, the scheming media spins on the issue can only be the handiwork of divisive elements and their collaborators whose defeated desire is to de-market the Ondo State Government through unfounded claims and gross mischief.
“The position of Governor Akeredolu on this matter stands. The government will not allow armed Fulani Vigilante in any part of Ondo State,” the statement read.