The member representing Rano-Bunkure Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, has called on hunters from his constituency and other parts of northern Nigeria to stop hunting in the southern regions, citing growing insecurity and cultural differences.
The lawmaker made the call on Thursday during a condolence visit to Bunkure village, where families of 16 hunters recently killed in Uromi, Edo State, had gathered to receive him.
“Our people need to stop these practices and reconsider the current situation at hand. Things have really deteriorated,” Rurum said.
He explained that what used to be normal practices have become increasingly dangerous due to the insecurity and rising tension between ethnic groups.
Cultural disconnect and dangerous perceptions
Rurum stressed the dangers of hunters traveling with weapons to unfamiliar communities where language barriers and mutual distrust could escalate situations.
“In this age, you cannot carry weapons like guns and cutlasses and go to the South in the name of hunting. Things have changed,” he warned.
He continued: “I want to use this opportunity to call on our brothers, especially the hunters, that things have changed today, they are not like before.”
“It’s like you living in this community and seeing some southern tribe wielding dangerous weapons coming around — they don’t speak your language, and you don’t speak theirs. What would be your reaction?”
“In like manner, you can’t be wielding dangerous weapons in southern communities where you don’t speak their language and they don’t speak yours in the name of hunting.”
Call for policy change and hunter association engagement
To prevent further tragedy, Rurum revealed plans to engage hunter associations and other local leaders.
“We are going to meet with the various hunters associations in the state to ensure that these practices are stopped,” he said. “We should learn to adapt to changes as they come. This hunting practice must not continue.”
“The present-day Nigeria requires that people engage in professions and traditions that do not raise suspicion or cause unnecessary tension. Carrying weapons and moving from one end of the country to another in this sensitive period of insecurity sends the wrong signal and could lead to devastating consequences. Our hunters should henceforth put a stop to such movements,” Rurum said.
“We are here to call on you people to please stop this practice and ensure that you desist from it. Sit down and reason and bring out a more friendly practice,” he urged.
In a gesture of support, the lawmaker donated N5 million to the bereaved families and pledged to build a school in the community in honor of the victims.
Also speaking at the event was the factional chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Kano State, Senator Masa’ud Jibrin El-Doguwa, who expressed grief over the incident and urged communities across the country to draw lessons from the tragedy to prevent such senseless killings from recurring.
El-Doguwa lauded Rurum’s gesture and pledged that construction work on the promised school would begin soon to give hope to the affected families.
“These children must know that their fathers did not die in vain. They are not alone,” El-Doguwa stated.
