Hunters in the South-West have threatened to withdraw their services over alleged Police victimisation.
The National President of Soludero, Oba Nureni Akintola Anabi had during an interactive session with the newsmen called for a swift intervention of the Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, and the State House of Assembly on the matter.
They submitted that they were fed up with the alleged excesses of some policemen, especially from the Oyo Town division.
They wondered why hunters who have been of help to the police in ridding the state of criminal elements should be treated in such an inhumane manner by the police.
He said, “We have worked with the police in securing the state. We have arrested and handed criminals over to the police numerous times. We, the hunters, have followed the police to pursue and catch suspected robbers and kidnappers.”
“We have these local guns we fire to scare robbers away. After working with the police, anytime they are broke, they turn against us accusing us of illegal possession of firearms.
“We have never killed or injured anyone with these guns. We only use them as warning shots by firing to the sky during joint operations with police.
“No one pays us for all the services we are rendering to the society. Some of us get as low as N20,000-N30,000 monthly as hired night guards and anytime the police seek our services, we see it as a call to help our fatherland. I have made my men believe they are working for people and God will reward them.
“After we have worked tirelessly securing the society, the police will now turn against us.
“Soludero hunters are in the four local government areas there. This policeman is frustrating us in many ways. It will get to a time that we will withdraw our services. If they call us, we won’t answer them.”
“We will have to reconsider our roles in the security of the state. We use our resources to help the society. Part of the tools we use to get criminals arrested, you are using it against us.
“We can’t take the cheating again. We will no longer allow anyone to harass us again. We will tell them we have ancient things given to us by our forefathers that we can use to defend ourselves.
“We are going through a lot of unpleasant experiences with the police. I won a case over my land. Despite my court papers, the land grabbers will conspire with police and the police will ask us to pay damages to land grabbers.
“I have proof of what I’m saying. If the leadership of the police calls me, I’m ready to say all these before them”.
He pleaded with the IGP to call these men who want to spoil the good job police to order asking how they, who join them in fighting criminality be treated with such indignity”.
Tribune
