By Ade Toyin
ABUJA — Hunters and farmers under various associations across the country have called on the Federal Government to formally recognize and empower them to assist in the fight against banditry and insurgency, combining both physical combat and spiritual interventions.
Speaking during a gathering of stakeholders, the hunters maintained that their traditional knowledge of forests and spiritual prowess would greatly complement the efforts of conventional security agencies in addressing the growing insecurity across Nigeria.
The hunters, who described themselves as “the original custodians of the forests,” expressed readiness to partner with security operatives if given the necessary support and logistics. According to them, the current security architecture can be strengthened by incorporating indigenous methods of tracking and neutralizing criminal elements, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
A spokesman for the group noted, “We know the forests. We know the terrain. We also have spiritual methods that can expose and render these criminals powerless. If the Federal Government supports us officially, insecurity will drastically reduce.”
They further urged the authorities to provide necessary tools, training, and legal backing to enable them to contribute meaningfully without being misunderstood or mistaken for vigilante groups operating without oversight.
The call comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with rising cases of banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency, particularly in the northern and middle-belt regions.
Security analysts have repeatedly advocated for community-based approaches to complement the efforts of the military, police, and other agencies, stressing that the battle against insecurity requires a multi-layered and grassroots-driven strategy.
At the event, the hunters assured that with the proper backing, they could help reclaim forests and territories currently overrun by criminals, thereby restoring peace and safety to affected communities.
As of press time, there was no official response from the Federal Government regarding the hunters’ proposal.
