The deputy commander-general of the Nigerian Hunter and Forest Security Service (NHFSS), Amb. Dr Johnny Metchie has advocated that NHFSS be converted into a national security service, Nigeria Forest Guard Services (NFGS), to safeguard ungoverned territories for sustainable economic development of the nation.
According to a statement over the weekend, Metchie stated that this would serve as a potent solution to kidnapping, banditry and other crimes perpetuated through forests, bushes and related ungoverned territories in Nigeria.
Metchie added that apart from many other losses to Nigeria too numerous to count, each time people are kidnapped and taken into the bushes, the nation continues to lose billions of naira and Forex from possible FDI due to bad image and negative reputation caused by kidnapping, banditry, separatism, extremism and related crimes.
He decried a situation in which insecurity has become rampant in Nigeria due to the unmanned, ungoverned territories, leading to many companies leaving the country. He stressed that Nigeria cannot afford not to have a forest guard at this critical time.
DCG Metchie commended the Federal Government of Nigeria for the efforts committed to adding greater impetus to the fight against insecurity in Nigeria, especially considering the government’s moves to establish new security agencies in the country, referring on the heels of a recent statement credited to Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, commandant-general of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) at the public hearing on the Bill to establish the Nigeria Mines Ranger Service in Abuja.
The Civil Defence boss believed that the federal government should use funds that could be applied to establish new security outfits to fund the NSCDC. While generally, the view of the Civil Defense CG has been seen as myopic, self-centeredness and not for the overall security and well-being of the nation, the NHFSS DCG expressed surprise that one who is overwhelmed by a task does not appear to want to be helped or assisted in executing the task.
He recalled the question posed to the NSCDC CG during the public hearing by distinguished Senator Garba Musa Maidoki, representing Kebbi South senatorial district, on whether the corps has done a good job as assigned in securing the nation. “The answer chorus was Nooooo!!! From the public at the National Assembly hearing,” he said.
Metchie urged the NSCDC CG to learn from the wise response and counsel by the Senator that at this age and critical time in the history of our country, we should rise above personal sentiments, selfishness and aggrandisement to make decisions that will be in the interest of the nation and the nation only.
Averring that there is a strong need for more hands to come into the security architecture of the nation, the Senator worried that he could not visit his community without having butterflies in his stomach, as he could be kidnapped at any moment.
According to DCG Metchie, Nigeria Forest Guards Services, which the Nigerian Hunter and Forest Security Service (NHFSS) is transitioning into, is the missing link in Nigeria’s security architecture.
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