Traditional hunters, under the aegis of Hunters Association of Nigeria (HAN), yesterday, declared that they have the capacity to join forces with security agencies in the country in the fight against kidnapping, banditry and other forms of security challenges.
The declaration was made by the National Chairman of the group, Muhammadu Usman Baba Tola, at the annual meeting and inauguration of new officials of the association held at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) Square, Bauchi.
According to him, their confidence to be effective in the fight is hinged on the fact that hunters know the terrain of Nigeria’s forests where bandits and insurgents hide, assuring that a lot of success would be achieved if hunters and security agents collaborated for a common goal.
Tola declared that ensuring a peaceful Nigeria is the priority of every hunter in the country, adding that in view of this they are ready to confront bandits and insurgents in their hideouts.
“Hunters know Nigerian forests and mountains, they can adequately help in that direction,” Tola submitted.
He informed that the hunters’ annual meeting in Bauchi was meant for them to discuss issues of national importance with a view to finding means of being involved for the betterment of all.
According to the HAN chairman, “We converged 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 better of our country.”
He declared that hunters’ contributions at the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East are an instance of what they can contribute to efforts aimed at achieving national security.
While expressing the readiness of members of the association to assist relevant security stakeholders in the country with a view to defeat insecurity, Tola informed that the association had been consulting with the government, traditional rulers and security agencies as part of its operation.
He then appealed to the government at all levels to support the association with operational vehicles, saying hunters would always support and stand by a united and peaceful Nigeria.
In his remarks at the event, Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, who was represented by his Principal Private Secretary (PPS), Sama’ila Burga, pledged his administration’s support to hunters.
This, according to the governor, would enable them to discharge their roles effectively for the overall safety of lives and property of citizens of the state.
He then expressed appreciation to hunters for their contributions to ensuring security in the state in collaboration with security agencies.