Yobe: Hunters Get New 13-Room facility, Conference Hall Named After Governor Buni

In a significant welfare boost for local security volunteers, the Yobe State Government has officially commissioned a newly refurbished accommodation for the state's hunters' group, marking the end of a 20-year rental arrangement.

The renovated facility was inaugurated on Wednesday by the Adviser to Governor Mai Mala Buni on Security Matters, Brigadier General Abdussalam (rtd). 

He confirmed that the government released special funds to carry out a complete overhaul of the building, which had long fallen into disrepair.

"We are happy now that the hunters live in a habitable accommodation, because what was there before was unfit for human habitation," Abdussalam remarked during the handover ceremony.

He disclosed that the property, initially a modest three bedroom house that the government had rented for two decades,has now been acquired outright and extensively renovated. 

'The upgraded facility boasts 13 rooms with a capacity to accommodate between 180 and 240 persons. It also features newly installed perimeter fencing and a conference hall named after Governor Mai Mala Buni in recognition of his commitment to community security",said Abdulsalam.

The Security Adviser detailed a comprehensive welfare package rolled out for the hunters, acknowledging their sacrifices in keeping communities safe. 

He announced that all members have been enrolled in the Yobe State Contributory Healthcare Management Scheme (YOCHMA) and are entitled to monthly stipends and regular meals.

"Anytime they go on special operations, they are given allowances as an incentive to do their job," he added.

Abdussalam further revealed that the government assumes responsibility for the families of hunters who lose their lives in active service, while injured members receive full medical treatment and financial compensation.On the operational front, the state provides everything from uniforms and kits to weapons, ammunition, and vehicles.

He,however, clarified that despite their importance, the hunters do not operate independently. "They operate strictly under the command and control of the Nigerian Army," he emphasized.

Reflecting on their impact, the Adviser praised the hunters for their role in maintaining stability across the state. He recalled that since a foiled Boko Haram attack on Damaturu in December 2019, no major security breach has occurred a feat he attributes to the synergy between the military and the hunters.

"They are doing a lot, and that is why we are able to sleep peacefully," Abdussalam stated.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Yobe State Commander of the Hunters Group, Idriss Buba, expressed profound appreciation to the government for finally acquiring the property after two decades of tenancy. He described the gesture as a long-awaited dream come true.

While thanking the administration, Buba appealed for more infrastructural support to enhance living conditions at the facility. 

He specifically requested the drilling of a borehole to ensure access to clean water, the construction of additional buildings to decongest the space, and the establishment of a mosque to cater to the spiritual needs of members.