Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi has called on the National Assembly to expedite the passage of the Hunters Bill 2020 to support government efforts in tackling insecurity.
Mr Bello made the appeal on Saturday in Abuja when he received commendation from the Hunters Council of Nigeria for his approach to fighting insecurity and crimes in Kogi.
The Hunters Council of Nigeria is pushing for the passage of its Hunters Bill (2020) to give it more powers as a law enforcement agency to help in fighting crimes.
The proposed Bill, which is sponsored by Adiodun Olujimi, has passed first and second readings at both Chambers of the national assembly.
Mr Bello noted that the Bill, when passed into law, would give the Hunters Council a legal teeth to fight crime, alongside other security agencies.
The governor noted that using the hunters to combat crimes in Kogi is one of the secrets to the state’s successes in tackling crimes and insecurity.
“I will urge the National Assembly to pass this Bill into law so that we will be able to empower all of you to take the security head on.
“You can see exactly what our hunters are doing in Kogi State. Sometimes, they even rescue some of our security personnel.
“So when every inch of the land is been represented by you, you need to secure every inch of the land.
“When we take care of every inch of the land, our communities will be safe, our roads will be safe, our local governments will be safe, our states will be safe and of course, our nation will be safe.
“I thank you for your support, for this your call, and for lending your voice and promising your support to this movement,” Mr Bello said.
Earlier, Joshua Osatimehin, the Commander General, Nigeria Hunters Council, had thanked Mr Bello for supporting the group and for being a major promoter of the passage of the Hunters’ Bill.
(NAN)