According to Punch, amid escalating violence across several states, hunters and farmers’ groups have urged the Federal Government to officially enlist and support them in combating banditry and terrorism in Nigeria’s forests. Organizations such as the Nigerian Forest Security Service, the Professional Hunters Association of Nigeria, the Agbekoya Farmers’ Society of Nigeria, and the Oodua Peoples Congress said they possess both the physical skills and spiritual capacity needed to fight insurgents.
These calls come in the wake of devastating attacks in Plateau State, where over 100 lives were lost in recent weeks. Last week alone, gunmen killed 51 people in the Zikke and Kakpa communities of Bassa Local Government Area, following a similar series of raids that displaced nearly 2,000 people. In response, President Bola Tinubu ordered a total overhaul of the country’s security strategy and instructed security agencies to take urgent action.
The hunter and farmer groups, however, believe their deeper familiarity with forest terrains, especially in border regions, positions them as a critical but overlooked asset. Commandant General of the Nigerian Forest Security Service, Joshua Osatimehin, argued that without formal recognition, forest operatives remain powerless to decisively act against armed criminals hiding in remote bush areas. He emphasized that only legal backing and logistical support would allow these groups to mobilize effectively.
He said, “Of course, we are brave and ready for the task. We need support to facilitate and improve patrols.”
Osatimehin also warned that failing to secure Nigeria’s forests leaves the country exposed to escalating insecurity, particularly from foreign intruders who take advantage of porous borders. He said operatives are ready to deploy all necessary strategies — including spiritual warfare — but require the government’s authorization to avoid accusations of illegal actions.
The Professional Hunters Association echoed similar sentiments. National Secretary Danladi Perry stressed the importance of intensifying patrols and surveillance across forest routes commonly used by attackers. He emphasized the willingness of hunters to serve as a first line of defense, calling for more logistical support to bolster operations.
Adegbenro Ogunlana, Secretary-General of the Agbekoya Farmers’ Society, revealed that spiritual interventions are already being used in the South-West to combat insecurity. He suggested that such unseen efforts have prevented larger disasters and warned that without traditional protection methods, the situation could be far worse.
