The South West zone hunters,have raised serious allegations of victimization against certain police officers in Oyo State.
The hunters, under the banner of the Soludero Hunters Association, have called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and the State House of Assembly to intervene and address their grievances.
The National President of the Soludero Hunters Association, Oba Nureni Akintola Ajijola Anabi, expressed the frustration and disillusionment felt by his members.
He highlighted the invaluable role hunters have played in complementing police efforts to secure the state, often at great personal risk and with no financial compensation.
According to him, hunters have actively participated in the apprehension of criminals, including robbers and kidnappers, and have handed over these individuals to the police.
Oba Anabi described how hunters use traditional firearms to scare away criminals, firing warning shots into the air during joint operations with the police.
He said their efforts have been met with ungratefulness and harassment by some police officers, particularly from the Oyo Town division.
The hunters allege that these officers accuse them of illegal possession of firearms and extort money from them under the guise of bail fees, often amounting to thousands of naira.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that the Soludero Hunters Association is active across four local government areas, and its members are increasingly disillusioned with the treatment they receive from the police.
Oba Anabi warned that if the harassment continues, the hunters might withdraw their support for police operations, which could lead to a deterioration in the security situation in the region.
“We are not paid for the services we render,” Oba Anabi stated, adding that many hunters work as hired night guards for meager wages. “Some of us earn as little as N20,000-N30,000 monthly, and yet we continue to support the police as a service to our fatherland.
“ But the constant victimization and extortion by some police officers are becoming unbearable.”
He also recounted personal experiences of injustice, including a case involving a land dispute where the police allegedly sided with land grabbers despite a court ruling in his favour.
“I have proof of what I’m saying. If the leadership of the police calls me, I’m ready to present all these before them,” Oba Anabi affirmed.
The hunters are appealing to the Inspector General of Police to take immediate action against the officers involved in these alleged acts of victimization.
They argue that it is unjust for individuals who are aiding in the fight against crime to be treated with such indignity and disrespect.
Efforts to reach the State Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso (SP), for comments on the allegations were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
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