Ever since the Chibok girls were abducted by Boko Haram in April 2014, local hunters have been assisting the military to search the notorious Sambisa Forest. Local vigilantes have also formed a group known as the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF), which has mounted road blocks and provided the Nigerian Army with intelligence.
With the war against Boko Haram thought to be in its twilight stage, the local hunters have asked to be given a more prominent role to help mop up the insurgency once and for all. Mallam Mai-Gana Mai-Durma, the head of the Borno hunters, said this is imperative because the hunters are familiar with the terrain in the forest, the hideout and operational base of the terrorists.
“We are appealing to the military authorities to allow us join the fight against Boko Haram in the Sambisa forest. We are ready to pursue the terrorists because we know the terrain very well.
“We will overrun Sambisa in partnership with members of the Civilian JTF if given the opportunity. This will help to complement the efforts of the military in the anti-terrorism operation,” Mallam Mai-Durma added.
He lamented the fact that hunters from the 27 local government areas of the state had been rendered idle by acts of terrorism perpetrated by the sect. Mallam Mai-Durma appealed to the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai, to assist in forwarding their request to the military authorities for consideration.
Mallam Mai-Durma added: “Hunters from all the 27 Borno local government areas are in Maiduguri with our leaders doing nothing at present because of Boko Haram. Rather than idling away, we will want to assist the military in crushing Boko Haram terrorists.”
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