HUNTERS in the South West zone of the country have called on the Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde and the State House of Assembly to save them from continued victimization by some policemen in Oyo State.
Speaking on behalf of his members, the National President of Soludero Hunters Association, Oba Nureni Akintola Ajijola Anabi said they were fed up with alleged excesses of some policemen especially from Oyo Town division who always extort them from time to time.
While speaking with newsmen in Ibadan, Oba Akintola 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 operation 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 to 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. There’s is an inspector in Oyo town who constantly extorts my men. They ask us to pay for our bail running into thousands of naira.”
“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 proofs 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 adding how can they, who join them in fighting criminality be treated with such indignity.
When we called the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Adewale Osifeso for comments, his phone did not connect.
