News
New Face of Nigerian Hunters: Smart, Gallant, Waiting for Tinubu to sign the Bill
Bonaventure Phillips Melah
In anticipation of the signing of the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service, NHFSS Bill by President Bola Tinubu, officers and Men of the organisation from the 36 states and FCT Commands are being trained and retrained, to further improve their capacity to flush out criminals, including terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, cattle rustlers and armed robbers from the forests.
Already, officers and Men of NHFSS have continued to compliment the Police, the Army, the DSS and other security agencies in the effort to make the forested areas uncomfortable for criminals to operate from and their gallantry are being appreciated by the security agencies, traditional rulers across the country and communities.
As the officers and Men are being trained, they are kitted with new uniforms and operational materials to make them look smart and confident for the task ahead.
For record purposes, it is necessary to recall that the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service, NHFSS was founded about 10 years ago as a voluntary organization but was later registered with the CAC and other relevant authorities. It is therefore a corporate and legal entity in Nigeria.
As a forest-oriented organization, the NHFSS helps in combating forest crimes and criminalities, including banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and terrorism, among others, as well as preventing bush and forest fires, investigating and arresting persons suspected to be involved in forest crimes.
Recognizing the efforts and records of Hunters in complimenting the Nigeria Police, the Army, the DSS and the Civil Defence in the fight against crimes committed within and around forests, the National Assembly in December 2022, passed the NHFSS Bill into law and transmitted it to the President for assent which is being awaited.
As a fall out of the passage of the NHFSS Bill, all professional hunter groups across the country have merged with the NHFSS, making it the national body and coordinator of all hunters in the country.
Also, on February 13, 2024, the national leadership of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) collapsed all its nationwide structures into the NHFSS at a ceremony that took place in Abuja which has helped to further enrich the capacity of the NHFSS to fight crimes within the forest region.
With the merger, the 10,250 members of the CJTF has been inherited and to the original 45,000 officers and men of the NHFSS, reaching a total of over 55,000.
Some of the states include Bauchi which has registered 10,000 hunters, Yobe, Kebbi, Plateau, Ekiti, FCT and Ebonyi, among others. Ebonyi State Governor recently approved the recruitment of 2,600 young men and women into NHFSS.
There is therefore the need for all the states in the county and FCT to adopt the NHFSS as part of their security architecture as a strategic measure to boost the security of lives and property of the people.
The gesture would also serve as a huge platform for employment of young men and women, thereby controlling youth restiveness.
President Tinubu should therefore, as a matter of urgency, give assent to the NHFSS Bill for the numerous benefits Nigeria would gain from the Hunters.
Meanwhile, we commend the untiring efforts and exemplary leadership of the Commander General of NHFSS, Dr. Wole Joshua Osatimehin which are the moving forces behind the great exploits of hunters.
We also salute the complimentary roles of the Deputy Commander General of the NHFSS, in charge of Technical Services, Amb. John Metchie who is working behind the scene, loyally giving full support to the CG, so that the NHFSS becomes a success story.
Bonaventure Phillips Melah is an Abuja based journalist and author.
News
Generator fumes suspected for death of UNN students
Strong indications has emerged that the use of a generator in a poorly ventilated environment may have caused the death of some students of the University of Nigeria, Nssuka.
The suspicion emerged after a survivor of the incident disclosed that a generator was operating outside the corridor of the apartment where they gathered, while the doors and windows remained shut.
According to the 24-year-old survivor, an Art Education student, about 10 people attended the party organised by his friend, David, to celebrate the completion of his final examinations.
The gathering reportedly started around 11:30 a.m. at the host’s residence in the Hilltop area of Nsukka, with participants sharing alcoholic drinks and playing Truth or Dare.
Recounting his experience, the survivor said he suddenly lost consciousness after helping one of the participants who had vomited and returning to clean the floor.
He disclosed that his legs had become stiff and he could no longer walk before eventually passing out. The student said he regained consciousness at about 9 p.m., only to discover that his friends were lying motionless on the floor.
“When I regained consciousness at about 9 p.m., I heard someone saying that the host was shaking. I woke up and managed to look into the parlour, where I saw the host and other participants lying on the floor,” he recounted.
He said he subsequently contacted friends for assistance, before one of them eventually helped convey the affected students to Bishop Shanahan Hospital and other medical facilities in Nsukka.
The survivor further explained that the apartment was poorly ventilated, with the doors and windows shut, while a generator was running outside in the corridor. A fan was also operating inside the room.
News
Speed Darlington begs Burna Boy to drop case
Nigerian singer, Darlington Okoye popularly known as Speed Darlington, has apologised to Grammy-winning musician, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, asking him to withdraw the charges against him and promising to stop making comments about his sexuality.
Speed Darlington made the appeal in a video posted on his Instagram page on Thursday, in which he expressed regret over the pain and embarrassment he might have caused the singer.
“This video is for Burna Boy. Burna, this is an apology video. I apologise for any pain that I have caused you. Any shame that I have caused you,” he said.
The singer admitted that he was wrong to assume that everyone had the same temperament, adding that he wanted an end to their disagreement.
“I made the mistake of thinking that everybody vibrates at the same frequency. That’s wrong of me. I apologise, Burna Boy,” he added.
He further pledged to refrain from making both direct and indirect comments about Burna Boy’s sexuality, making the withdrawal of the charges a condition for his promise.
“I give you my word that if you withdraw all charges and let everything die, I give you my word that I will never make any direct comment regarding your sexuality. “Even indirect comment. I will no longer try sustain. I give you my word. Let peace reign,” he said.
Speed Darlington also promised not to mention the singer’s name again if the legal dispute was resolved.
“I promise I will never use my mouth to mention your name,” he added.
News
Why I left Peter Obi- Yinusa Tanko
Yinusa Tanko, former national coordinator of the Obidient Movement, says he experienced a betrayal of trust and loyalty in Peter Obi’s camp, which led to his exit from the movement.
Tanko spoke on Thursday shortly after his unveiling as the coordinator of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential campaign council.
Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Party (NDP), appointed Tanko as national coordinator of the Obidient Movement in September 2024, following a consensus to zone the position to the north.
He was later redeployed as Obi’s political adviser (north), a position he held until October 30, when he resigned.
However, Tanko said he never wanted to leave Obi’s camp, insisting that he was pushed out rather than choosing to exit the movement.
Tanko said although he appreciated the opportunity to serve Obi, he could not remain in a political group where his contributions were no longer valued.
“Well, you know, as you move along in politics, there may be a time when your group does not want you, does not need you or does not appreciate what you do,” he said.
“You don’t stay where you are being tolerated; you go where you are appreciated.
“As far as I’m concerned, I appreciate all the work I have done, and I appreciate him for giving me the opportunity. But the only thing I have suffered in that particular movement is betrayal of trust and betrayal of loyalty.”
Tanko said he served the former Anambra governor with diligence, honesty and integrity, adding that he still held him in high regard despite the circumstances surrounding his departure.
“Everybody knows that I have served with diligence, determination, honesty and integrity. That was how I served Peter Obi, and I continue to respect him,” he said.
“But now, since they don’t want me, people who appreciate me have picked me from the dustbin and made me a bride.”
Asked whether Obi would be pleased to see him in another political party, Tanko said he could not determine what was on the former governor’s mind.
“You cannot say what is on his mind; only he can speak for himself,” he said.
He added that his new political associates had recognised his contributions to nation-building and offered him another opportunity to serve.
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