The Minister of Defence, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar has reiterated the commitment of the present administration towards combating insecurity in the country.
He stated this in Abuja during a National Conference on Security organized by the Nigeria Hunter and Forest Security Service, NHFSS, with the theme “Combating Insecurity, Kidnapping and Illegal Mining Activities Within the Forest Areas in Nigeria”.
The Minister who was represented by his Senior Security Adviser, Technical,Major General Ahmed Jubril commended NHFSS for the conference and called for its establishment towards complimenting the efforts of Government in the fight against insecurity nationwide.
In a remark, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun identified NHFSS as critical stakeholders on security at the grassroots.
The IGP who was represented by a Deouty Comnussioner of Police, Kayode Ojapewa expressed the readiness of the Police to continue to partner with the Service towards reducing insecurity to a barest minimum in the country.
In a message, the Chairman of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Major General Buba Marwa identified forest space as major area where illicit drug and abuse are usually perpetrated hence the need for the support of NHFSS in addressing the problem that poses great danger to the society and the country in general.
Speaking on the theme of the conference ” Combating Insecurity, Kidnapping and Illegal Mining Activities Within the Forest Areas in Nigeria”, the Commander General of Nigerian Hunter and Forest Security Service, NHFSS, Ambassador Joshua Osatimehin emphasized the role of the Service over the years in tackling crimes and criminality in the nation’s forest across the country.
Ambassador Osatimehin pointed out that the NHFSS Bill which is awaiting Presidential ascent if finally signed into law would further enhance the performance of the Service towards complimenting the efforts of other formal security agencies in the protection of lives and property of Nigerians. He explained that the conference was organized as part of NHFSS’s contributions in combating insecurity in line with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s led administration in the area of security and well being of the citizens.
Other stakeholders at the conference which includes the Representatives NSCDC, FRSC, Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigerian Customs Service among others emphasized the need for more collaboration towards combating insecurity and illegal mining in the country
They equally called for constitutional recognition for the Nigeria Hunter and Forest Security Service, NHFSS, to further assist other formal security agencies in getting rid of criminals in the country. High points of the conference were paper presentations by security experts and interactive session on effective and efficient security of Nigeria and its citizens