The Bauchi state government said it has registered 10,000 hunters to aid other security outfits in fighting banditry, kidnapping, and other crimes in the state.

The Senior Special Assistant to governor Bala, Mohammed on Security, Alhaji Umaru Alkaleri, made this known in an interview with journalists on Sunday, July 11.

According to Alkaleri, the hunters who were sourced from the 20 local government areas in the state, engage in routine patrol in a bid to fight bandits to their last.

Alkaleri, who is also the Chairman of the Hunters’ Association in the state, noted that the hunters have been operating 24/7 in all areas of the state to ensure that citizens live without any fear of attacks, intimidation, or harassment by criminal elements.

“The hunters were registered across 20 local government areas of the State and they assist in routine patrol and dislodging of suspected bandits’ camps in the bush with the support of security agencies.

“Recently, we arrested 29 suspected kidnappers, bandits, and armed robbers in the state. We also destroyed kidnappers’ camp between Dass and Tafawa Balewa local government areas of Bauchi state.

“We have hunters operating jointly with security in all the 20 Local Government Areas of the state”he said.

He added that the Association’s State office located at Inkil has about 200 operatives alone who are on 24/7 shifts waiting for possible distress calls from any area of Bauchi metropolis for prompt response.

Alkaleri commended the Governor for distributing patrol vehicles to hunters and security agencies which, he noted, is easing their activities.