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By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Deputy Commander-General (DCG) of Nigerian Hunter and Forest Security Service (NHFSS) Amb. Dr. Johnny Metchie, has advocated for conversion of NHFSS to a National Security Service or Nigeria Forest Guard Services (NFGS) in order to safeguard ungoverned territories for sustainable economic development of the nation.
According to a release on weekend, DCG Metchie stated that the move will served as a potent solution to kidnapping, banditry and other crimes perpetuated through forests, bushes and related ungoverned territories in Nigeria.
Each time people are kidnapped and taken into the bushes, the nation continues to loss billions of naira
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 loss 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 where insecurity has become rampant in Nigeria due to the unmanned, ungoverned territories and has led to many companies leaving the country; stressing that Nigeria cannot afford not to have Forest Guard at this critical time.
DCG Metchie commended the Federal Government of Nigeria for the efforts committed to add greater impetus to the fight against insecurity in Nigeria, especially the moves to establish new Security Agencies in the country with reference to the recent statement credited to Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) at the public hearing on the Bill to establish the Nigeria Mines Ranger Service in Abuja.
The Civil Defense boss was of the view that the Federal Government should use funds that could be applied for establishment of new Security outfits to fund the NSCDC.
“Generally, while the view of the Civil Defense CG has been seen as myopic, self-centered, and not for overall security wellbeing of the nation”, the NHFSS DCG expressed surprised that one who is overwhelmed by a task does not appear to want to be helped or assisted to execute 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 to it in security of the nation, saying, the answer to that chorused is capital No from the public at the National Assembly Hearing.
Metchie therefore urged the NSCDC CG to learn from the wise response and counsel by the Distinguished Senator, adding that at this age and critical time in the history of our country, “We should rise above personal sentiments, selfishness and aggrandizement and take decisions that would be for the interest of the nation and the national interest only.
Averring that there is strong need for more hands to come into the security architecture of the nation, the Distinguished Senator express worry that he cannot visit his community without having butterflies in his stomach, as he could be kidnapped any moment.
This translates to the fact that more hands must be deployed
“This translates to the fact that more hands must be deployed. Metchie, therefore stated that we should not sacrifice our motivation and opportunities to bring more hands on deck and to work and curb the insecurity in Nigeria at the altar of personal interest and material gains.
“Opinion leaders have long identified the major challenges in combating insecurity in Nigeria, which is the huge ungoverned territories, which are mostly in the forests, bushes, deserts as well as in creeks, swampy areas and other difficult terrains that are unmanned due to inadequate capacity. “This is the capacity and gap we as Forest Guards want to fill,” Metchie stated.
Nigeria Forest Guards Services, which NHFSS is transitioning into is the missing link, gap and lacuna in the Nigeria’s security architecture
According to DCG Metchie, Nigeria Forest Guards Services, which NHFSS is transitioning into is the missing link, gap and lacuna in the Nigeria’s security architecture, which, unless incorporated into national security, the challenges will continue to ache Nigeria because of the security vulnerability in bushes, forests and other ungoverned areas.
