Boko-Haram: SAHAN mourns noble hunter, Dan Asabe, 5 others

.Raises concern over poor welfare package, kits for JTF

Oluwaseyi Al-Hameen

The Safari Hunters Association of Nigeria (SAHAN), has mourned the death of Alhaji Dan Asabe who was tragically killed along with five other members of his team during a Joint Tax Force (JTF) Hunters/Vigilante, Police/Army/Airforce operation against Boko-Haram Terrorists and bandits at Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, 20th April 2020.

This is even as the group expressed disappointment at the poor welfare package and necessary kits for the JTF and other supporting associations in the fight against insecurity in the country.

In a statement signed by its President, Capt Bayo Araba, who described the deceased as a “noble hunter, hero and gallant fighter” that gave his life so that others could live.

He said, “Alhaji Dan Asabe’s passing has thrown open many issues as it concerns the welfare, protection and proper combat kitting of the JTF and other supporting associations in the fight against insurgency and banditry in the country. The continued exposure to serious danger of the support bodies without seeming care of the Nigerian forces lends credence to the justification to stop their participation in these operations.

“The Members of Vigilante Group in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger state particularly, have threatened to suspend their operations due to the serious lack of the aforementioned despite sacrificing their lives to help protect the terrain.”

The President noted that local hunters and various hunting organisations are known to have the advantage of being better trackers and immense support to the government forces in their respective areas.

He emphasised, “These groups have proven to be an immeasurable asset in the fight against insurgency and banditry due to their intricate knowledge of the backwoods. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of their combat gear against the armed insurgents and bandits.”

Araba stated that the deceased participated in a recent SAHAN hunting expedition to Imuwen, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State where hunter education, communal advocacy for wildlife conservation and general hunter activities took place.

Asabe until his death was the Grand Commander and head of the Kamuku local hunters/vigilante group of Mariga in Niger State.

Safari Hunters Association of Nigeria, SAHAN, is a duly registered association and a network of professionals involved in responsible game hunting and the promotion of the game hunting activity to make Nigeria a preferred destination for hunting in West Africa.