Bandits On The Run? Kogi Lawmaker’s New Hunter Squad Sparks Reactions

The member representing Yagba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Leke Abejide, has advocated stronger community-led security initiatives as part of efforts to address rising insecurity across Nigeria.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, the lawmaker argued that local communities must play a more active role in protecting themselves from bandits and other criminal elements, particularly in vulnerable areas.

Abejide also expressed support for the creation of state police, saying the country’s security challenges require a collaborative approach involving governments, communities, traditional institutions, and elected officials.

His remarks come amid renewed concerns over banditry, kidnappings, and attacks on schools and communities in various parts of the country.

Community-Based Security Model

According to Abejide, communities should serve as the first line of defence against insecurity, a position he said aligns with advice previously given by the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Drawing from that recommendation, the lawmaker said he introduced a local security model in his constituency that relies on trained hunters familiar with the terrain to monitor forests and border communities.

He explained that each of the 71 communities within his constituency is expected to have between seven and ten trained and equipped hunters operating around the clock as part of a grassroots security network.

“If communities are to be the first line of defence, they must have capable and vigilant personnel on the ground. In my constituency, every community is expected to have trained hunters who can respond quickly to threats and monitor their environment effectively,” he said.

Recruitment of Hunters

Abejide disclosed that he launched the initiative in December 2025 after observing increased movement of bandits into communities bordering neighbouring Niger State.

He said he subsequently convened a meeting with more than 100 traditional rulers to develop a coordinated response to the security threat.

The plan involved the formation of a local security squad, with support sought from the state government and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for operational approval.

According to him, the request was approved, allowing the hunters to be licensed and equipped for their duties.

The lawmaker noted that the operatives adopt a proactive strategy by actively patrolling forests and tracking criminal elements rather than waiting for attacks to occur.

“They go into the forests daily to identify and disrupt criminal activities. The objective is to find the bandits before they strike, not wait for them to attack our communities,” he explained.

He added that the hunters receive financial support and incentives, which help sustain their commitment and effectiveness.

Abejide revealed that the initiative initially deployed 55 personnel but has since been expanded with the recruitment of an additional 45 hunters, bringing the total number to 100.

Call for Wider Participation

The lawmaker said the security model has helped reduce bandit activities in parts of his constituency and urged other communities facing similar threats to consider adopting comparable strategies.

He stressed that government efforts alone would not be sufficient to overcome Nigeria’s security challenges, calling on elected representatives and community leaders to contribute actively to local security efforts.

“Insecurity cannot be tackled by government alone. Communities, traditional rulers, elected officials, and security agencies must work together. When everyone contributes, the results become more visible, just as we are witnessing in my constituency,” he said.