By ADEYEMI ADELEYE

Chief Deji Wellington, the Lagos State Chairman of the Yoruba Socio-Cultural Organisation Afenifere, has urged South-West governors to integrate local hunters into the region’s security architecture to tackle insecurity.

Wellington told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos that local hunters possessed deep knowledge of forests and terrains where criminals often hide.

He said collaboration between hunters and formal security agencies would significantly strengthen security operations in the region.

“We should include the hunters in the security architecture in the South-West because we know our hunters.

“You may call it primitive but these hunters in those days performed wonders in security.

“How they did it then nobody knew and they are still very much around,” Wellington said.

He said the hunters’ familiarity with forests could help security agencies flush out kidnappers and bandits hiding in remote locations.

“All these marauders that you find in the forest, if we get the hunters to assist the security people, the police and the army, and get our hunters out, you will see the miracle they will perform.

“These hunters understand the terrain. They live in the forest and the forest is the home of the hunters,” the Afenifere leader said.

Wellington added that some hunters were capable of staying in the bush for extended periods while tracking criminals.

“Some of the hunters will be in the bush for one month without coming home.

“These are people who understand and are very used to this area.

“Let us get them and engage them,” Wellington said.

He acknowledged the efforts of the regional security outfit Western Nigeria Security Network, but said incorporating hunters would further strengthen the system.

He said: “Yes, Amotekun is a good development. They are doing wonders.

“But if we include the hunters, the hunters understand all these terrains.

“I don’t think if these people are engaged we will find some of these kidnappers or bandits again in the South-West.”

According to him, there are still enough experienced hunters across the region who can be mobilised if the government shows seriousness.

“If the government means business, many of them will come out.

“If we engage them, you will see that many of them are still living.

“These people are still around and we need their service.”

Wellington also reiterated Afenifere’s support for the creation of state police, saying it would enhance intelligence gathering and community-based policing.

“Afenifere supports state police because effective policing can only succeed with local intelligence which only local police familiar with the terrain can gather easily.

“The police live within the vicinity, the state or local police can be reached at anytime.

“They interact with people and gather information and intelligence easily,” Wellington said. (NAN)