Local hunters from Ogbomoso geopolitical zone in Oyo State have protested against what they described as exclusion from the proposed new security outfit in the state.
There are five local government areas that make up of Ogbomoso geopolitical zone in the state.
Oyo State has been witnessing some security challenges in the last few days.
Recall that no fewer than five forest rangers were killed at old Oyo national park located at Oloka village.
It was learnt that the state government has perfected plans to put up a new security outfit.
The new security outfit is being planned in order to tackle insecurity challenges in the state.
Local hunters from the five local government areas in the zone have however lamented over what they described as exclusion of their members in the new security outfit.
The Oluode of Ogbomoso South local government, Chief Adebayo Amos Abiade, while speaking on Thursday frowned at the exclusion of his members in the new security outfit.
Abiade, noted that the local hunters are the ones that have what it takes to tackle insecurity in their communities.
He used the opportunity to appeal to Governor Makinde of the state and the Oyo State House of Assembly to intervene.
He enjoined them to include his members in the new security outfit.
He said, “We heard of the new security outfit being put together under the purview of the state government. Governor Seyi Makinde directed each local government to have a pool of fifty men to constitute the outfit in each local government.
“However, in four local governments in Ogbomoso zone i.e. Ogbomoso North and South, Surulere and Ogo-Oluwa, we were not consulted before nominations were made implying we are not represented whereas we are the best suited for the job. Local hunters are familiar with the forests, it is from prowling the forests we partly make our living. We know the tracks, we fight supernatural beings and wild beasts on a daily basis so what is banditry, but we are being excluded”.
In the same vein, the Oluode Soun of Ogbomosoland who is head of all local hunters in the zone, Chief Ayobami Akintola noted that exclusion of local hunters is unfortunate.
He said that the local hunters have the true knowledge of their environment than any other persons.
He then appeal to the state government led by Engineer Seyi Makinde to intervene in the matter.
“It is unbelievable that people who live for something are not considered for it. We are excluded and we want to express our displeasure. If we are serious about protecting our land from the looming terrorists attacks local hunters must be brought into the frame. We are forest adventurers, we know the name the forest bears. We know the nooks and crannies from birth. Excluding us is like excluding soldiers from protecting the territorial integrity of a nation. This is a serious matter that must be taken seriously. Competence must be considered.”
