Volunteers who guard villages, farmlands, and highways receive little pay, little recognition, and almost no support when they fall.
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The President of the association carries most of this weight personally. He frequently sells his own property to raise money for fuel, vehicle maintenance, and other logistics that operations demand.
“We do not wait for anyone to tell us there is danger. We move because our people are our people, and we cannot watch them suffer while we sit idle.”
His words capture the spirit that drives the entire association, even as resources dwindle and support remains scarce.
Despite these sacrifices, the association has received little or no assistance from the Local Government, the Adamawa State Government, or the Federal Government. Officials frequently commend the hunters during public gatherings, yet praise alone cannot buy fuel, repair vehicles, or replace worn-out equipment. Therefore, many members now operate with damaged motorcycles, faulty torchlights, and insufficient communication tools, all of which slow their response time during emergencies.
Tragically, some hunters have paid the ultimate price while defending their communities. They have lost their lives confronting armed criminals, protecting farmers, and rescuing kidnapped victims. Yet their families receive little or no support or compensation afterward. Widows are left to raise children alone, and aging parents lose the sons who once provided for them.
“My husband died protecting a village that was not even his own. Since then, no one has come to check on us or offer help.”
Her account reflects the experience of many families who have sacrificed everything yet remain forgotten.
Given these realities, we respectfully appeal to the relevant authorities, humanitarian organizations, and well-meaning individuals to consider the plight of these dedicated volunteers. Specifically, the association needs fuel subsidies, vehicle maintenance support, modern security equipment, and a structured compensation scheme for families of fallen hunters. Additionally, formal recognition from government bodies would grant the association legitimacy and open doors to further institutional support.
Furthermore, the Adamawa State Government and Local Government Councils should consider integrating the association into broader community policing frameworks. Doing so would not only provide much-needed funding but also strengthen coordination between hunters and formal security agencies. In turn, this partnership could reduce response times during emergencies and save more lives across Gombi and surrounding communities.
Ultimately, the Professional Hunters Association embodies resilience, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to community safety. However, sacrifice alone cannot sustain an organization indefinitely. Without urgent intervention, the association risks losing more members, more equipment, and more lives. We therefore call on all stakeholders, government agencies, corporate organizations, and individual philanthropists alike, to act swiftly and support these brave men who ask for so little while giving so much.
Every contribution, whether financial, material, or advocacy-based, can make a tangible difference. The hunters of Gombi have shown their willingness to die for their communities. Now, it is time for the community, the state, and the nation to show they are willing to stand by them in return.
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