The governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, has been urged to constitute a forest guards unit to combat the alarming rate of insecurity in the state.
Speaking to journalists in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, Ferdinand Okezie, a United States-based security expert, expressed optimism that such a move is necessary to combat the growing threat of some criminal groups that have made the forests their strongholds.
Okezie highlighted the importance of creating a specialised force to monitor, patrol, and secure the state’s forests.
He said, “The forests have become the safe havens for criminals in Imo State. Establishing a Forest Guard will help safeguard these areas, making it difficult for criminals to operate freely,” he stated.
He stated that this force would complement the existing security agencies, ensuring no area is left unchecked.
According to him, the Forest Guards would be trained to understand the unique challenges of patrolling dense forest areas and equipped with the necessary gadgets to track down and neutralise criminal activities.
His words, “The terrain of Imo’s forests requires specialised training and equipment. A Forest Guard, with local knowledge and expertise, would be more effective in navigating these difficult environments”.
The security expert also emphasised the need for community involvement in the Forest Guard initiative.
“Local communities know the terrain and the criminal elements better than anyone else. Involving them in forming this unit ensures that it is a security force and a collaborative effort between the government and the people,” Okezie submitted.
He believes such a force would be a strong deterrent to criminal elements exploiting the forests as hiding places.
Okezie also advised that the Forest Guard could be equipped with modern surveillance tools, such as drones and night-vision equipment, to enhance its effectiveness.
“With the right technology, such as drones, the Forest Guard will be able to track criminal movements in real time and respond swiftly to any threats.”
He explained that this would drastically reduce criminal groups’ ability to evade capture.
He also emphasised the importance of adequate funding and support for the Forest Guard to ensure its success.
“For the Forest Guard to operate efficiently, it must be well-funded, well-trained, and well-equipped. The state government must prioritise this initiative to ensure its sustainability,” Okezie advised.
According to Okezie, Governor Hope Uzodimma has the opportunity to be a pioneer in tackling the unique security challenges posed by the forests in the State.
“This is an opportunity for the governor to show strong leadership by proactively securing the forests and ensuring that Imo State is no longer a safe haven for criminals. Creating a Forest Guard unit in Imo State could be a major step in ensuring lasting peace and security across the State.”
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