Hunters promise to help security agencies fight against kidnapping, banditry

Story from Najibullahi ADAMU, Bauchi

As kidnapping and banditry became more rampant in parts of the country in recent time, the Hunters Association of Nigeria has expressed its preparedness to help the security agencies in the fight against the menace.

The Chairman of the group, Alhaji Muhammadu Usman Baba Tola made the expression in Bauchi on Saturday at the inauguration of new leaders of the association.

He said that a peaceful and working Nigeria remains the priority of every hunter in the country, adding that they are ready to confront bandits and insurgents in their dens.

He said that as hunters, they know the terrain of Nigeria’s forests where bandits and insurgents hide their woes, saying that a lot of success could be achieved if hunters and security agents could come together for a common purpose.

“We converge on Bauchi from all parts of Nigeria today to reassess issues of national concerns as well as to determine how best we can come in and help in addressing those issues for the betterment of our country.

“Hunters know Nigerian forest and mountains. They can adequately help in that direction,” he said.

Alhaji Baba Tola said that consulting with government, traditional rulers and security agencies have been part of their method of operation, insisting that they are ready to listen to relevant security stakeholders in the country with the view to defeat insecurity in Nigeria.

He said that the Hunters Association of Nigeria will always support and stand by a united and peaceful Nigeria.

The Chairman, however, lamented that the group lacks mobility, calling on government and public-spirited individuals to come to their aide to empower them to play their security complimentary role.

He said that their contributions at the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast are a testimony to what they can bring to Nigeria’s effort towards achieving national security.

“We don’t have mobility vehicles and that is affecting our response to distress calls. We cannot do well as desired so long as movement is a problem to use. I am appealing to government and philanthropists to provide us with cars to ease our transportation woes,” the Chairman said.

Speaking at the event, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed pledge the support of his administration to hunters to enable them to discharge their roles effectively for the overall safety of lives and property of citizens of the state.

The Governor who was represented by his Principal private Secretary, Sama’ila Burga said that searching for pasture is only possible where there is peace and where people are afraid to go out in search of their livelihoods, criminality and insecurity reign.

He expressed satisfaction with the contributions of hunters towards ensuring security in Bauchi State in collaboration with government security personnel, promising to continue supporting activities of hunters for the overall benefits of citizens of the state.

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