A group of hunters in Bauchi State has insisted that they are allowed to carry guns for hunting, stating that their weapons are not illegal.
This is as they demanded justice over the gruesome murder of sixteen members in Uromi, Edo State recently.
The group called on both the Federal and State governments to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators to ensure justice is served and to deter future acts of violence.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Abashe Garba, the Sarkin Bakan Hausawan Africa, strongly condemned the killings
During a press briefing in Bauchi on Tuesday, Garba, while reacting to the tragic incident, noted that this was not the first time Northerners have been targeted in attacks in Southern Nigeria.
He reiterated the importance of justice as a means of promoting peace and fostering national unity.
He extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the leadership of the Hausa community across Africa, led by Alhaji Abdulkadir Dahiru Koguna.
He also offered prayers for the deceased and expressed hope that justice would soon prevail.
“We want the government to take immediate action to ensure all those involved in the killings are apprehended and punished according to the law,” he said.
Addressing reports that local guns were found on the victims, Alhaji Garba clarified that hunters have traditionally used such weapons as tools of their trade and that their operations are legal and well-structured.
“We operate as an organized group. Carrying guns is not illegal for our members—these are tools used in hunting. All our members carry official ID cards and should be verified through proper channels when stopped,” he explained.
“It’s impossible to hunt with bare hands. Since ancient times, hunters have relied on weapons, from bows and arrows to firearms. Wild animals require specialized methods, and guns are essential for our work,” he added.
Garba further highlighted the role hunters play in supporting national security.
“In Bauchi State, for instance, just two years ago in the Ganji area of Ningi, we engaged kidnappers in several operations. I lost eight men in the process, but we were able to eliminate the threat,” he recalled.
“Similarly, in Magama Gumau, the area faced recurring kidnappings less than two years ago. I was called upon, and I deployed my team to tackle the problem. The community is now peaceful,” he added.
He urged the Federal and State Governments, as well as others, to continue assisting the hunters in order to enhance their morale and strengthen their contributions to national security.
Recall that 16 Northerners, who were returning from Rivers State en route to Kano State, were brutally killed in a mob attack by a vigilante group in Udune Efandion, a community in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area, weeks ago.