Traditional hunters in the Ogbomoso zone of Oyo State have expressed strong opposition to their exclusion from a new security outfit being planned by the state government.
Speaking at a recent meeting of hunters in Ogbomoso, the Oluode of Ogbomoso South Local Government, Chief Adebayo Amos Abiade, described the development as unfair and counterproductive. He said local hunters were disappointed that they were not consulted or considered during the nomination process for the proposed outfit.
According to him, hunters are naturally suited for forest-based security operations due to their deep knowledge of the terrain and long-standing experience tracking criminals who operate from forest hideouts.
He explained that the state government, under the directive of Governor Seyi Makinde, instructed each local government to nominate 50 individuals to form the new security structure. However, he alleged that in the four local governments within Ogbomoso zone—Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, Surulere, and Ogo-Oluwa—traditional hunters were excluded from the process.
Chief Abiade contrasted this with developments in other zones of the state, particularly Oke-Ogun, where the state patron of hunters was consulted and hunters were fully included in the nominations. He said this disparity was confirmed during a state-wide hunters’ meeting held in Ibadan, prompting Ogbomoso hunters to formally register their displeasure.
He stressed that hunters earn their living by navigating forests and are familiar with tracks, hideouts, and survival tactics, adding that their daily encounters with wild animals and difficult terrain place them in a strong position to confront banditry.
The Oluode appealed to Governor Makinde and the Oyo State House of Assembly to intervene and ensure that hunters from Ogbomoso are included in the security arrangement. He emphasized their readiness to support government efforts to curb insecurity across the state.
Also speaking, the Oluode Soun of Ogbomosoland and head of traditional hunters in the zone, Chief Ayobami Akintola, described the exclusion as alarming. He said it was unreasonable to sideline individuals who possess firsthand knowledge of forest environments while addressing security threats rooted in such areas.
He warned that excluding hunters from the initiative could weaken its effectiveness, noting that competence and local expertise should be the primary criteria for recruitment into any security framework.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ogbomoso North Local Government, Hon. George Ogunlade, offered a different perspective. He confirmed that the governor had indeed directed councils to submit 50 names each following an expanded security meeting held last December. However, he explained that Ogbomoso North relied largely on existing ad-hoc security personnel who had previously served the council, as well as some hunters already engaged by the Soun of Ogbomoso to assist with local security.
Attempts to reach chairmen of other local governments in the Ogbomoso zone for comments were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
The controversy has continued to generate debate as stakeholders await possible intervention from the state government on the matter.
