A member of the House of Representatives from Kano State, Alhassan Kabiru Rirum, has issued a warning to local hunters from his constituency, urging them to desist from traveling to southern Nigeria with dangerous weapons.
Rirum, who represents Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya Federal Constituency, expressed concern that transporting such weapons could provoke unrest.
He made the remarks on Thursday during a condolence visit to the families of 16 hunters killed in Uromi, Edo State.
The former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly visited Torankawa village in Bunkure Local Government Area to commiserate with the bereaved and emphasized that such movement of hunters is outdated and potentially dangerous.
According to him, “The present-day Nigeria requires people doing businesses or traditions that would not create any suspicion that might result in uncertainties.”
Rirum, a member of the Aniebonam-led faction of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), donated N5 million to support the grieving families.
He also pledged to sponsor a bill in the National Assembly to address the safety concerns surrounding local hunters and their interaction with host communities.
He stated, “Carrying dangerous Weapons and moving around with them from one end to another in this sensitive period of Insecurity in the land will surely send a bad signal and result in causing chaos, therefore, our hunters should henceforth stop it.”
Rirum recounted a recent incident involving hunters from his hometown, saying, “Just recently, over 30 of my Rano Hometown Hunters were apprehended in Ondo State, I had to personally go and see the Governor and show every evidence that they are not Criminals before he worked out for their release.”
He added, “If those people in Ondo who arrested our Rano Hunters were as senseless as those of Uromi, what do you think would have happened? The story would have been different by now.”
Also commenting on the matter, factional NNPP Chairman in Kano, Senator Masaud Jibrin Eldoguwa, said he was deeply affected by the incident but hoped it would serve as a lesson.
Eldoguwa said plans were underway to commence construction on a promised school, aimed at giving hope to the children of the slain hunters.
“The aim was to give the children of those killed hope that they are not neglected,” he said.
Meanwhile, Edo State Governor Monday Akpoholo had earlier visited the bereaved families three weeks ago, accompanied by top members of his cabinet.
He vowed that justice would be served and those behind the killings would be brought to book.
In a related move, the Kano State Government has set up a fact-finding delegation headed by Deputy Governor Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo.
The team is tasked with visiting Edo State to negotiate compensation for the victims’ families.
