The Southwest wing of hunters in Nigeria has called on the Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and the State House of Assembly to save them from continued victimisation by some police officers in Oyo State.

Speaking on behalf of his members, Oba Nureni Akintola, the National President of the Soludero Hunters Association, said they were fed up with the alleged excesses of some police officers, especially those from the Oyo Town division who extort them repeatedly.

While speaking with journalists in Ibadan, Akintola wondered why hunters, who have been of help to the police in ridding the state of criminal elements, should be treated in such an inhumane manner by the police.

He said: “We have worked with the police in securing the state. We have arrested and handed criminals over to the police numerous times. We, the hunters, have followed the police to pursue and arrest suspected robbers and kidnappers.

“We have local guns which we fire to scare robbers away. After working with the police, anytime they are broke, they turn against us, accusing us of illegal possession of firearms.

“We have never killed or injured anyone with these guns. We only use them as warning shots by firing to the sky during joint operations with police.

“No one pays us for all the services we render to society. Some of us get as low as between N20,000 and N30,000 monthly as hired night guards, and anytime the police seek our services, we see it as a call to help our fatherland.”

He said further: “I have made my men believe that they are working for the people and that God will reward them. After we have worked tirelessly, securing society, the police now turn against us.”

“We will have to reconsider our roles in the security of the state. We use our resources to help society. We can’t take the cheating again. We will no longer allow anyone to harass us again. We will tell them we have ancient things given to us by our forefathers that we can use to defend ourselves.

“We are going through a lot of unpleasant experiences with the police. I won a case over my land. Despite my court papers, the land grabbers will conspire with police and the police will ask us to pay damages to land grabbers. I have proof of what I’m saying. If the leadership of the police calls me, I’m ready to say all these before them.”

As of the time this report was filed, the spokesperson for the state police command, Adewale Osifeso, had yet to respond to enquiries.