Leadnaija
Hunters and farmers’ groups across Nigeria have called on President Bola Tinubu to officially authorize them to confront bandits, Boko Haram insurgents, and other criminal elements hiding in the country’s forests.
The organizations, including the Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS), Professional Hunters Association of Nigeria (PHAN), Agbekoya Farmers’ Society of Nigeria, and the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), are urging the Federal Government to sign a bill recognizing them as a paramilitary outfit.
Speaking on behalf of the groups, Commandant General of the NFSS, Joshua Osatimehin, stressed the importance of protecting Nigeria’s forests, noting that they remain a critical battleground for the nation’s security.
“We understand the forests; some of our operatives live there,” Osatimehin said. “But we cannot act without government backing. Once authorized, we are confident we can dislodge these criminals using all our tools—physical, spiritual, and otherwise.”
He said that the support would enable a first line of defence before conventional security agencies can intervene.
Echoing this sentiment, Danladi Perry, National Secretary of PHAN, stressed the urgency of deploying local operatives to patrol forest routes used by attackers, particularly in crisis-prone regions such as Benue and Plateau States.
“Our brave hunters are ready for the task,” Perry said. “With logistical support and equipment, we can enhance surveillance and reduce these persistent attacks.”
Meanwhile, Alhaji Muhammad Ahmed, Commander of Patrol and Guards for NFSS in the North-Central zone, urged the President to sign the proposed legal framework enabling forest hunters to operate lawfully.
“The bill awaiting the President’s assent can change the game,” he said. “We know the terrain and encounter these criminals often. With legal backing, we can help end the insecurity crisis.”
The appeal comes amid growing concerns about Nigeria’s inability to fully secure its rural and forested areas, which have become safe havens for criminal groups involved in kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism… CONTINUE…. YOUR… READING
