The Chairman, Niger State Traditional Council and Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar has called for the integration of the Nigeria Hunter and Forest Security Service, NHFSS, in Nigeria’s security apparatus towards ridding the nation’s forests of illegal miners, bandits, kidnappers and other criminals.
He made the call in Abuja during a one day National Summit organized by the Nigeria Hunter and Forest Security Service, NHFSS, with the theme “Enhancing National Security in Nigeria: The Roles and Integration of the Nigeria Hunter and Forest Security Service in Combating Insecurity, Kidnapping and Illegal Mining Activities.
The Etsu Nupe who was represented by the District Head of Lagun, Prince Usman Ndagi expressed concern over the loss of lives and property to insecurity over the years stating that the time has come for Nigeria to free its forests from activities of criminals who used the ungoverned area to live and perpetrate their evil acts hence the need to integrate NHFSS that is well structured and equipped to carry out the role of combating crimes and criminality in the forests.
He commended NHFSS for complimenting the efforts of formal security agencies in the fight against insecurity nationwide.
On their part, the Emir of Zazzau in Kaduna State represented by Makama Zazzau, Alhaji Mohammed Abbas and His Imperial Majesty, Eze Obiwuru Obiefule advised Government at levels to effectively support and collaborate with the NHFSS in the task of safeguarding forests around their domain.
Also speaking, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun represented by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ofili Felix and the FCT Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Olushola Odumosu represented by the Head of Agro Rangers in the Command, Okon Offiong said the two Security Agencies would continue to work with the Nigeria Hunter and Forest Security Service towards achieving President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda in the area of security.
In their goodwill messages, the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed and his counterpart from Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo appreciated the contributions of NHFSS in the protection of lives and property in their States and promised to sustain the collaboration with the Service.
Earlier, the Commander General of NHFSS, Ambassador Joshua Osatimehin said the summit was organized to proffer solutions to the nation’s security challenges and highlight the roles of NHFSS in combating insecurity most especially in forests across the country.
Ambassador Osatimehin therefore reiterated the continuous support of the service to the formal Security Agencies to ensure effective protection of lives and property of Nigerians.
Other speakers at the summit who also called for constitutional recognition of NHFSS stressed the need for the support of all stakeholders to enable Nigeria overcome its security challenges.
Highpoints of the summit were paper and awards presentation as well as communique on how to further enhance national security.