In the face of rising insecurity across Nigeria, hunters and farmers have urged the Federal Government to empower them to take on bandits, Boko Haram insurgents, and other criminal elements hiding in forests. The groups, including the Nigerian Forest Security Service and the Professional Hunters Association of Nigeria, claim to possess the spiritual ability, knowledge, and training to combat terrorists.
The call comes amid a resurgence of terror attacks in the country, particularly in Plateau and Benue states. Recent attacks have left many dead, with gunmen killing at least 51 people in Plateau State’s Bassa Local Government Area alone.
The hunters and farmers insist that they can flush out terrorists from forests, leveraging their presence and knowledge of the terrain. They are seeking formal backing from the Federal Government to support their efforts.
The proposal raises questions about the role of non-state actors in combating insecurity and the potential benefits and risks of empowering local groups to take on security challenges. As the government considers the proposal, it must weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks and challenges.
