HUNTERS and farmers have called on President Bola Tinubu to empower them to hunt down bandits and secure Nigeria’s forests.
They are urging the President to sign a pending bill recognizing them as a paramilitary force capable of protecting the country’s vast woodlands.
The groups, including the Nigerian Forest Security Service, Professional Hunters Association of Nigeria, Agbekoya Farmers’ Society of Nigeria, and the Oodua People’s Congress, believe that their knowledge of the forests and tactical expertise make them well-suited to take on terrorists hiding in remote areas.
Commandant General of the Nigerian Forest Security Service, Joshua Osatimehin, stated that hunters have the spiritual strength, tactical expertise, and deep-rooted presence within forests to eliminate bandits.
“We understand the forests; some of our operatives even live there,” he said.
“With the right support, we can deploy our arsenals — physically, spiritually, and otherwise — to drive out the bandits and kidnappers.”
The hunters and farmers argue that their involvement could help prevent deadly attacks, such as those experienced in Benue, Plateau, and other northern states.
They are seeking legal backing to play a role in restoring peace to the country.
Alhaji Muhammad Ahmed, Commander of Patrol and Guards for the Nigeria Forest Security Service in the North-Central region, expressed optimism that with President Tinubu’s approval of the bill, the nation’s worsening security challenges could be decisively addressed.
“The real hunters know the terrain and have the courage to confront terrorists,” Ahmed asserted.
“All we ask is legal backing to play our role in restoring peace to our country.”
