Local hunters: want to fight Boko Haram

Give us the guns, let’s lead you to Sambisa Forest.

This was the message of hunters in Borno state on Sunday to the Nigerian military, as the military continued Operation Lafiya Dole against the Boko Haram insurgents in Sambisa Forest.

Malam Mai-Gana Mai-Durma, the Borno Emir of the Hunters, made the appeal in Maiduguri while addressing newsmen.

Mai-Durma said that the call became imperative because the hunters were familiar with the terrain at the dreaded 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 at the Sambisa forest. We are ready to pursue the terrorists because we know the terrain very well,” Mai-Durma said.

He said that the military should align them with members of the vigilance group, popularly knwon as the Civilian JTF, for effective result.

“We will overrun Sambisa in partnership with members of the civilian JTF if given the opportunity. This will help to complement the effort of military in the anti terrorism operation,” Mai-Durma said.

He lamented that hunters from the 27 local government areas of the state had been rendered idle by the Boko Haram terrorism.

“Hunters from all the 27 Borno LGAs are all 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,” Mai-Durma said.

He also appealed to the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai, to assist in forwarding the request to the military authorities for consideration.
Reported by NAN.