Kabiru Rurum, the House of Representatives member for Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya Federal Constituency in Kano State, has advocated for a complete ban on the movement of hunters from northern to southern Nigeria, citing heightened security concerns.
Speaking on Thursday in Torankawa village, Bunkure Local Government Area, after consoling the families of hunters killed in Uromi, Edo State, Rurum stated, “That movement is no longer feasible in present-day Nigeria. Carrying weapons and moving from one region to another during this sensitive period of insecurity sends a bad signal and can result in chaos.”
Rurum donated N5 million to the families of the deceased and pledged to build Islamiyya primary and secondary schools in the area for the victims’ children. He urged hunters to cease such migrations to avoid suspicion and violence, emphasizing that businesses or traditions must not “create suspicion or lead to uncertainties.”
The lawmaker recounted a recent incident where over 30 hunters from his constituency were arrested in Ondo State. “I had to personally meet the governor and provide evidence that they were not criminals to secure their release,” he said, warning that the outcome could have been tragic if the situation had escalated as it did in Uromi.
Masaud Eldoguwa, factional state chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party, described the Uromi incident as a lesson to prevent future occurrences, echoing Rurum’s call for caution.