The Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has said that his administration would not treat criminals with kid-gloves.

Addressing a delegation from Oba- Akoko led by the Royal Father, Oba Nurudeen Adegoroye to apologize to the State Government on the violent disturbances which occurred in the town during the just concluded House of Assembly election, Governor Akerdedolu said the State Government would not tolerate any acts that can jeopardize peaceful coexistence and respect for the law of the land.

The governor who said he was not a hardhearted person accepted the passionate plea for leniency on the unfortunate incidence but called on the Royal Father, the Chiefs and elders of the town to ensure that lives and property are safe.

He charged law-abiding indigenes of Oba-Akoko to cooperate with security agencies to rid the town of various firearms and other lethal weapons which were freely used on the day of the ugly incidence.

While admonishing the people not to take political support too far to extent of infringing on the fundamental rights of other citizens, Governor Akeredolu said moves at actualizing political aspirations must be made within the circumference of the rule of law.

The governor however assured the delegation that before they got back home, the restriction order on human and vehicular movements being enforced in the town should have been relaxed.

Earlier, in his plea for clemency, the Oloba of Oba, Oba Nurudeen Adegoroye had described as unfortunate and regrettable the violence which erupted in the town on the day of the State Assembly election.

He narrated the efforts his queen and some of the chiefs put into preventing the situation from escalating to the uncontrollable proportion.

The Arikainsen of Oba-Akoko, Chief Rasaq Ahmadu read the apology letter of the town, addressed to the State Governor in which they expressed sadness at the avoidable and needless incidence.

A former Commissioner for Women Affairs in Ondo State, Mrs Yinka Alabi-Oladapo appreciated the governor on behalf of the community for lifting the restriction order on the town.

She assured that such an incidence would never happen again in the town.