Oyetola inuagurates 42,000 hunters to tackle growing insecurity in Osun

Oyetola inuagurates 42,000 hunters to tackle growing insecurity in Osun

…as hunters association endorses Gov for second term

TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO

As part of efforts at tackling the growing insecurity in Osun State, the State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola on Wednesday inaugurated the State chapter of Hunters Group of Nigeria (HGN) and charged them on patriotism, integrity, diligence, loyalty and honesty in the discharge of their duties.

The governor said the new layer of the security outfit was put in place to further harness the diverse security apparatuses by getting the locals who understand the terrain involved in securing and guaranteeing the security of lives and property of the citizens.

He also said the gesture was aimed at further helping to complement the efforts of the conventional security agencies as the newly-inaugurated hunters are expected to protect the State and provide useful information and intelligence to ensure a safe and secure atmosphere.

Inaugurating the group of 42,000 registered members at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, Oyetola emphasised that the newly inaugurated hunters would work in the steps of the extant security outfits to complement the efforts of other security agencies in a bid to deliver security in every nook and cranny of the State.

He charged the newly inaugurated hunters on diligence, loyalty, honestly and integrity, asking them to discharge their duties with topmost sincerity as they are expected to effectively organise, coordinate, supervise and complement the activities of conventional security agencies.

“We have put these layers of security in place in our firm belief that we are better secured when we harness our diverse security apparatuses and involve our people who know our terrain and who can effectively organise, coordinate and supervise them to complement the activities of conventional police.

“Consequently, we expect the various security outfits to work hand in hand with the police by guarding our communities and forests with integrity and diligence, providing intelligence, arresting suspects and handing them over to the Police for investigation and prosecution.

“I urge the members of the Osun Hunters Group of Nigeria that we are inaugurating today to follow in the steps of the extant security outfits to deliver security with integrity and complement the activities of other security agencies.

“All our security agencies must know that there is only one duty and that is to keep the State and People of Osun safe. This duty should unite all security outfits. Your loyalty should be to the people. Doing otherwise is against the code of your operation, the interest of the State and the nation.

“I urge you all to avoid harassing defenceless and harmless citizens. You must deliver this duty with all sense of responsibility, integrity, honesty and patriotism,” Oyetola stressed.

Meanwhile, the leadership and members of hunters group, duribg their inauguration, declared their unalloyed support for the administration of Governor Oyetola.

The hunters also endorsed the Governor for second term, saying they were ready to do everything possible to ensure his re-election in the forthcoming governorship poll.

Speaking on behalf of their members in the State, the Commander General of the group, Joshua Osatimehin, and the State Commandant, Chief Nureni Hammed attributed their solidarity and endorsement to the good works and laudable achievements the administration had recorded in the last two and half years.

Osatimehin disclosed that over 42,000 hunters have been registered in Osun under the umbrella of the Group to complement the efforts of other security agencies in the State.

In their separate remarks, Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, urged members of the HGN to champion loyalty, diligence and sincerity in discharge of their responsibilities as local security agents.

They advised them to remain honest and sincere while carrying out their daily activities to stem the tide of insecurity and ensure peace across the nooks and crannies of the State.