The Deputy Commander General, Chief John Chukwudi Metchie, who oversees Technical Services for the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS), has appealed to the Anambra State and Federal Governments to cooperate with hunters and bring the perpetrators of the recent attack on US Embassy officials in Nigeria to justice.
The officials, who were on a medical outreach to Amiyi/Eke Ochuche communities in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, were killed and their bodies burned, including two police officers.
Expressing his distress, Metchie stated that “We also condemn the reported mindless and gruesome killing of about 30 persons in Bwoi District of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau. Regrettably, Plateau, which in the past, was arguably the most peaceful state in Nigeria, has become a killing field in the past few years.”
The NHFSS is urging federal and state governments to recognize their invaluable contribution to safeguarding the country’s security. Metchie revealed that several states that have cooperated with the service and other security agencies have reaped excellent results in terms of intelligence gathering and apprehending criminals. The Nigerian Hunters and Forestry Security Service Bill has passed through both chambers of the National Assembly, and Metchie is pleading with President Buhari to sign the bill into law.
The NHFSS primarily secures Nigerian forests and curbs criminal activities. The Hunters Service will boost operations when the President signs the bill, and this would help in making it more challenging for criminals using the forests to engage in nefarious activities. According to Metchie, signing the bill into law will also create thousands of jobs, which is one of Nigeria’s greatest challenges to overcome.
“We need to reiterate, therefore, that one of the greatest legacies Mr President would leave behind as the Father of the Nation is to sign the NHFSS Bill into law to boost the fight against insecurity and provide massive employment for citizens, especially young men and women, which in itself, is another way of reducing crimes and criminalities,” Metchie concluded.
