THE Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, said it was foreign herders that were perpetrating crimes in the state forest reserves.

Akeredolu stated that most of the foreign herders almost remained permanent in the state government’s forest reserves before he gave an order to flush them out.

The governor spoke during a courtesy visit to his office by Dora Amahian, the Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘F’ of the Nigeria Immigration Service, comprising Oyo, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states.

Akeredolu, who charged the officers of the NIS to heighten security at the land borders, said the rate at which foreigners were coming into the country through the land borders was alarming.

He urged the NIS to do more in securing the land borders so as to prevent unknown individuals from coming into the country without record and identity.

The governor said, “We all know what this service is established to do. It’s clear to us. The number of people who come into Nigeria through the land border is becoming alarming.

“Knowing your efforts to secure our borders, we are worried about some foreigners that come in and are almost permanent in our forest reserves. I know a number of criminal activities that are being perpetrated in our reserves that are done by foreigners.

“They might be Fulani but they are not Nigerians. I think there must be collaborations; collaboration with other security agencies. That way, you can function well and achieve more result. Collaborate with security agency like Amotekun.”

Earlier, Mrs Dora Amahian expressed appreciation to the governor for the cordial relationship between him and the Immigration service, saying the passion of the governor for good governance and delivery of dividends of democracy had been seen in his ability to maintain peace as evident in the peaceful co-existence of the diverse people of the state.