By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Chief of Defence Staff, (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa has called for the registration and profiling of all local hunters across Nigeria.
This call is at the backdrop of the recent extra judicial killings of travellers of northern extraction in Uromi, in Edo State over suspicions they were Kidnappers.
Soon as the story of their killing went viral, sources identified them as hunters en route the north from Porr Harcourt with den guns and other locally fabricated weapons.
Our correspondent reports that profiling of hunters would reduce od risks of false identity in the face rising wave of terrorists attacks on sleepy farming communities, kidnappings and armed robbers.
The CDS warned that “all local hunters and vigilante groups should register with the police, DSS, AFN and any other agencies mandated by law to regulate the possession of fire arms, while calling on vigilante groups to always revert to police for appropriate action.”
Gen. Musa however strongly condemned the unfortunate killing of the hunters.
He said that the incident, which occurred on 28 March 2025, could have been avoided if the appropriate authorities were notified and involved in ascertaining the identity of the victims.
Commentators have attributed rising case of self help to the failure of the communities to effectively and professionally respond to distress calls by local communities, particularly where farmers are at the receiving end. Communities have been sacked, inhabitants killed and farms destroyed without arrests and prosecution by security agencies, our correspondent observed.
General Musa condoled with the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the families of those who lost their lives
The CDS also urged Nigerians not to take laws into their hands but always revert to constitutated authorities in matters that affect security. The Nigeria police, military, and other security agencies are well trained to handle such matters.
The Chief of Defence Staff assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) will work closely with the police and other relavant security agencies to bring the perpetrators of the dastardly act to book.
He also sue for calm and seek for citizens support to the AFN and other security agencies to continue to perform their constitutional duties with diligence.
