Eben Enasco
The Edo Forest has recently witnessed a sudden appearance of Northern hunters, sparking curiosity and concern among locals.
The hunters, armed with both dane and Ak47 and other traditional hunting gear, have been seen roaming the forest without the permission of indigenous inhabitants, allegedly in search of game.
Whereas, in a sane society where respect and orderliness are the norms and values, concerted efforts are made to officially inform the authority before entrance and advancement.
In this case a trailer loads of unregistered hunters transported alongside cows to different forests in Edo State.
When farmers wake to work in their farms in the morning, there appears a group of strange faces with scary guns pointed all in pretense of being a hunter.
Their farm produce is rooted to feed their cows in most cases in their presence. And when the farmers attempt to ask questions,
they are either killed or wounded.
The presence of these hunters has raised eyebrows, particularly given the current security situation in the region.
There have been reports of kidnappings, armed robbery, and other criminal activities in the area, leaving many to wonder if the hunters are connected to these incidents.
In our Local Proverb, we often believe that when someone passes through a farm and a tuber of yam is missing, suspicion often falls on that person.
This reflects a common human tendency to associate presence with responsibility, even if circumstantial.
Locals are asking questions about the hunters’ true intentions and whether they have the necessary permits and approvals to operate in the forest.
Some are concerned that the hunters may be vigilantes or even criminals, exploiting the forest’s resources and posing a threat to the safety of residents.
In a situation that has seen heightened kidnappings with huge ramson paid, there appeared to be an upsurge in hunting activities that have remained silent for years.
Hunting and possession of specially protected animals or protected animals require a licence granted by the Minister or a native authority, with consent of the Minister and the residence of the area. The need to inform the inhabitant or locals in the environment is sacrosanct.
But in Nigeria, Northern hunters are permitted to invade the southern forests, build a hamlet there and relocate his family without the consent of the aborigine.
The only set of Nigerians that are aware they are northern hunters are their leaders cut across various government officials who will in turn protect them when they commit crimes.
Imagine the recent claims of some elements who are now reportedly in police net.
The police authority in a press statement released by Edo State Command only told us that preliminary investigation reveals that they are hunters, not herdsmen as reported by a section of citizen journalists.
In the statement, the police further stated that they were from Doguwa in Kano State heading to Uvbe Community in Orhionwon LGA of Edo State.
The question is how do they get to know these community settlements in the far southern part of the country? Who invited them to the forest?
Most incidences of kidnappings have happened in Orhionmwon and Uhunmwode where farmers have been dastardly killed by suspected herders, yet more supposed hunters are relocating to the forests where upsurge in criminality is presently creating fear.
These hunters must reveal their real missions not these rhetorics and open oppression.
Honestly, if not for the advancement of local vigilantes, will the conventional police operatives reveal the identity of these suspected criminals?
Locals in Edo must wake up to these unrealistic hunting charades presently the newest of several failed attempts to dominate Nigerians from the south.
The people of Edo State deserve answers and reassurance about their safety and security.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the authorities will investigate the hunters’ activities and ensure that they are operating within the law.
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