Over 10,000 hunters gather in Adamawa for oath-taking pledge to destroy Boko Haram

ABOUT 10,000 local hunters from across the northeast gathered in Adamawa State over the weekend for an annual oath-taking festival during which they renewed their commitment to eradicating Boko Haram from their community.

 

Over recent years, local hunting militia have supported the military in its fight against Boko Haram terrorists in the northeast. They have regularly taken on the terrorists in pitched battles and are part of the local militia known as the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).

 

During their recent meeting in Adamawa State, the hunters renewed a call to the government to make use of them in the fight against Boko Haram terrorism and other social vices. Dressed in their warfare attires and armed with their dane guns, the hunters asked the military to align them with members of the CJTF, for effective results.

 

Muhammad Tola, the leader of the hunters in Adamawa State, who claimed they had so far played significant roles in the fight against Boko Haram, said his colleagues were familiar with the terrain in dreaded places like the Sambisa Forest. Stressing that the hunters needed the government to assist them with ammunition, transportation and logistics, he noted that the authorities could also enlist young hunters who were willing to join the army, police and other security agencies.

 

Mr Tola said: “We are ready to pursue the terrorists because we know the terrain very well. We are appealing to the military authorities to allow us join the fight against Boko Haram at the Sambisa Forest.

 

“We remain one big family devoid of religious or tribal sentiments. That is why you can see over 10,000 hunters from Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi, Borno and Adamawa converged for this epoch-making event.”