Mediaage NG News – ABUJA, Nigeria
The Commandant General of the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS), Dr. Joshua Wole Osatimeyin said they are at the forefront of protecting communities and the resources therein, in addressing security challenges bedevilling the country.
While revealing that the NHFSS aims for a more secured nation, he said its core objective is to protect the country’s forests where criminals use to perpetuate heinous activities.
“Nigeria is struggling with security challenges in recent times through banditry and kidnapping activities. The perpetrators exploit the dense and challenging terrain of the forests to carry out their activities. However, we stand as that link to bring stability to our communities”, Mr. Osatimeyin said at the NHFSS 3rd Annual Security Summit in Abuja on Tuesday.
He also shed some light on the NHFSS bill that has been passed by the National Assembly and is hopeful to be assented to by President Bola Tinubu.
He hopes that traditional rulers in the country, some of whom were in attendance, will be of influence on the legislative and executive arms of government to ensure that the NHFSS actually becomes an institution established by an act to govern its activities.
He listed some of the achievements the NHFSS has already had, some of include undergoing extensive trainings with the Nigerian Police Force and certified by the Inspector General of Police, trainings had with the NDLEA on how to combat drug operations, movements in the forests, collaboration with the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) for the purpose of school safety initiatives, working relationships with some state governments like Kogi, Ebonyi, Anambra, Ekiti, Bauchi, Borno and Oyo States.
Police IGP, Kayode Egbetokun said all strategies to combat crimes must go beyond the police, hence different strategies are needed from various groups with their respective strengths in harnessing a formidable security force across all sections of the Nigerian communities.
