… As Police rescue 6 kidnapped victims in Kaduna***
The Nigerian Hunters Council says it has rescued no fewer than 186 kidnapped persons across Nigeria between January and July this year.
The council has also appealed to Nigerians to be vigilant and security conscious as a way of tackling the various security challenges in the country, especially during the “Ember” months.
The Commander-General of the council, Mr Joshua Osatimehin, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.
Osatimehin also said: “Nigerians should not solely rely on the security agencies, but they should complement their efforts, as well as always be more security conscious”.
While restating the importance of providing credible intelligence information to the security agencies, Osatimehin emphasised the need for Nigerians to be proactive in responding to suspicious movements in their various communities.
“Insecurity is everywhere, but it is more prevalent on the roads, so what I will advise is that, if you drive some distance and you don’t see an oncoming vehicle, it may be a sign that something is happening.
“So, you have to park and wait for some minutes to be sure that nothing is happening ahead.
“Secondly, we Nigerians we like to show off when we have money. I could be your neighbour, but you don’t know what I am doing, maybe I am a kidnapper or an informant.
“You should not allow your neighbour to know your source of wealth or how wealthy you are.
“When you are invited to an occasion, you should know how you spend money, instead of spraying the notes, you can dash it secretly,” he said.
According to him, the outfit is committed to fighting banditry, kidnapping and insurgency because the terrain is more familiar to the council, but we need the legal backing”.
He stressed that internal security challenges are not peculiar to Nigeria, even as he urged Nigerians to help towards combating insecurity.
Osatimehin said “passing the Nigerian Hunters Bill 2020 into law would give the outfit the necessary legal backing to complement the efforts of security agencies in fighting insecurity.
“The bill which is sponsored by Sen. Olujimi Abiodun (Ekiti) and was presented to NASS in 2020, has passed first and second reading in both the Senate and the House of Representatives and will soon go for the third reading.
“With headquarters in Abuja, commands in the 36 states of the federation, the FCT and volunteers who are mostly youths, the council operates like a paramilitary organisation,” Osatimehin said.
He said that the council had recorded robust synergy with other security agencies in the country in the area of training, particularly on border protection.
A member of the Hunters’ Council, Anene Ogene, an assistant commander in charge of Forest Surveillance, said that their activities are strictly voluntary to safeguard forests and the communities.
“This is important because this is where these criminals majorly operate from,” Ogene said.
The newsmen report that the objective of the bill is to develop, empower and provide gainful employment for the youth, facilitate peace, volunteerism and surveillance, among others.
In another development, the Police Command in Kaduna State, says its operatives have rescued six kidnapped victims, along Barde/Keffi Road in Kafanchan Local Government Area (LGA), of the state.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Jalige, confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday in Kaduna.
Jalige said that on Oct. 5, operatives of the command, on receipt of report of a kidnapping incident that occurred on Oct. 4, at about 18:30hrs, along Barde/Keffi Road, “cautiously and tactically trailed and caught up with the bandits in the forest.”
He said the operatives engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon their victims and scampered into the forest with bullet wounds.
He said six of the kidnapped victims were successfully rescued unhurt.
Jalige said that the victims had been debriefed and subsequently reunited with their respective families.
“Concerted efforts are on high gear with a view to apprehending the fleeing bandits,” he said.
The PRO also said the officers, alongside the army Operation Puff Adder II, on Oct. 2, acting on credible intelligence stormed Yadi forest in Fatika District of Giwa LGA, and engaged bandits in a fierce gun battle.
He said one of the criminals was neutralised, while others fled with varying degrees of bullet injuries into the forest.
He said the operatives recovered one AK 49 rifle, loaded with 31 rounds of 7.62 X 39mm live ammunition, one locally made rifle with one 12-guage polymer cased shotgun shell.
He said the precision and gallantry exhibited by the officers that left the bandits in disarray were exemplary.
“The command is calling on members of the public, especially medical practitioners, to report any person found with suspected bullet injury in the said axis for prompt action,” he said.
Jalige said in a similar incident, the police also arrested three suspected bandits on Oct .2, and recovered a submachine gun.
“Operatives of the command attached to Saminaka Divisional Headquarters in Lere LGA, on Oct. 2, at about 03:30hrs, acting on a credible information, carefully raided Kuwait Hotel, located in Unguwan Bawa, Saminaka, and arrested three suspects.
“During a search of their rooms, the following items were recovered; one submachine gun (SMG) loaded with one round of 9mm live ammunition and a Department of State Services Identity Card.
“The suspects are currently undergoing investigation and will be charged to court on completion of same,” he said.
Jalige disclosed further that the command on Oct 5, also received information that one Superintendent of Police was seen around Mamadi Layout Rigachikun Kaduna, making illegal arrest and extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public.
“On receipt of the information, officers were immediately mobilised to the area and succeeded in arresting one fake police officer parading himself as SP Usman Magaji, and criminally dispossessing innocent persons of their legitimate earnings.
“Upon investigation, two sets of neon blue police uniforms were found in his possession.
“The suspect has since confessed to the crime and will be charged to court on completion of investigation.
“The command is, therefore, calling on the public to report any of such persons to the nearest police formation,” he said.
Jalige said, the command also on the same date, while investigating a case of armed robbery, arrested one suspect and recovered a complete police uniform bearing the name Pius Philips with an inspectorate cadre’s rank.
“During the course of investigation, the suspect confessed to have been using the uniform for some nefarious activities.
“The suspect will be charged to court after completion of investigation,” he said.
The PPRO said the above successes were not unconnected with the renewed commitment and cordial relationships between the police and communities in the area of information sharing.
According to the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Mudassiru Abdullahi, appreciates the gesture.
He urged the officers to be civil with their host communities so that the command could leverage on the renewed vigour to safeguard lives and property of law abiding citizens of the state.
