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Metchie urges Gov Mutfwang to secure Plateau with forest guards
The Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS), has urged the Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, to take advantage of its already command in the state, to protect his people by recruiting and empowering more young people into the Service.
The Deputy Commander General of NFSS, in charge of Intelligence, Amb. John Metchie, stated this on Wednesday in Abuja, while reacting to the recent killing of over 50 people in some communities that make up Bokkos local government.
Metchie who spoke on behalf of the Commander General of the Service, Dr. Wole Joshua Osatimehin, said he was personally touched by the unfortunate incident, being an indigene of Plateau by circumstances of his birth in Jos and marriage to a woman from there.
While expressing his heartfelt sympathy to Governor Caleb Mutfwang and the entire people of the state, Metchie who is also the African Director, International Association of World Peace Advocates, IAWPA, said the Abuja headquarters of NFSS, has already established a command in Plateau State which the government should take advantage of, by recruiting hundreds of young people, provide them operational vehicles and other tools to safeguard the forests, working with the military, police, Office of the National Security Adviser, DSS and others.
The NFSS DCG Intelligence noted that Plateau is one of the states with the most forested areas in the country and urged the Governor to deploy forest security operatives to guard borders and other strategic parts, as a way of deterring criminal elements from infiltration.
Metchie also said that Nigeria, with huge population of over 215 million, cannot be left in the hands of already established security agencies alone, adding that some states like Kogi and Bauchi, among others, have embraced the services of NFSS, which he said is part of the reasons for the successes being recorded in securing the states.
He said- “Let me express my condolences, on behalf of the Commander General of NFSS, Dr. Wole Joshua Osatimehin and all officers and men of the Service, to my friend, His Excellency, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang and the people of Plateau State, on yet another unfortunate killing of many of our brothers and sisters by criminal elements.
“I am particularly toughed and pained by the ugly incident, first because I was born and raised in Jos, with hundreds of childhood friends. Secondly, my dear wife is from Plateau state, which makes me a direct mourner.
“As the Deputy Commander General, Intelligence, NFSS, we are aware that Plateau is one of the most forested states in the country, which makes it easy prey for criminals to infiltrate and operate in the state from the forests. Knowing that the primary assignment of NFSS is to curb crimes and criminalities, especially those that are committed within the forested regions, we believe that the NFSS would, in no small way, assist the established parent security agencies like the military, the police, office of the NSA, the DSS, NSCDC and others, to fight insecurity in Plateau state, through intelligence gathering and sharing as well as combat engagement against undesirable elements.
“Already, the NFSS has a well-established and functional command structure in Plateau State. What is needed is for the government to recruit hundreds of young people from across the communities, empower them with operational vehicles and other necessary tools to guard and protect their people. One of the advantages of making use of NFSS, is that operatives are recruited from locals to guard and protect their communities and relatives.
“With the special training NFSS operatives undergo, we are well equipped to understand the terrains more than strangers and therefore in a better position to record successes in our responsibilities.
“I therefore call on my good friend and brother, the Governor, to approach the headquarters of NFSS to discuss and agree on the best way to go about making peace in return to Plateau again,” Metchie stated.
He also used the opportunity to call on President Bola Tinubu to sign the NFSS Bill which was recently passed by the senate, saying it would help to strengthen security across the country.
Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic in Congress (NDC), Fiidi Council Ward in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, Igbu Terhemen, has reportedly been killed by unknown assailants.
Terhemen was said to have been attacked and left unconscious in a bush near his residence around the NNPC Depot, along the Makurdi-Otukpo Road, on the outskirts of Makurdi, the state capital.
A friend of the deceased, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Terhemen left his residence on Tuesday evening to watch a local football match in the Kanshio axis of the town but did not return home.
According to him, family members and friends became worried after the deceased failed to return and subsequently began searching for him.
He said, “He left home to watch the match Tuesday evening and he was expected back home, but nobody saw him. It was while people were looking around for him that he was discovered around 2am Wednesday in a bush near his residence unconscious.
“Unfortunately, he died before he could get medical attention. Strangely, his attackers did not take his phone, which was discovered on him when he was taken to the morgue.
“There was also a needle-like injury on his body, indicating that he could have been injected with a substance by his attackers, dumped in the bush and left to die.
“All that is left for the police to uncover in the course of their investigation because this is a sad development in the state.”
The incident has sparked concern among members of the NDC, with the state chapter condemning the alleged killing and calling on security agencies to investigate the circumstances surrounding Terhemen’s death.
In a statement issued by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Agile Bem, the NDC described the deceased as a committed member who contributed significantly to the growth of the party in the state.
The statement said, “The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Benue State Chapter, has condemned the gruesome murder of Hon. Igbu Terhemen, who, until his death, was the NDC Chairman of Fiidi Council Ward in Makurdi Local Government Area.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed into law the Appropriation (Amendment) (No.4) Bill, 2025, extending the implementation period of the 2025 budget from September 30, 2026 to December 31, 2026.
Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga stated this in a press release on Wednesday, saying the president’s assent followed the amendment’s swift passage by both the Senate and the House of Representatives on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
According to Onanuga, the extension gives Ministries, Departments and Agencies more time to complete ongoing capital projects. It ensures that funds already appropriated are fully put to work for Nigerians, without disrupting critical programmes.
“The President commended the leadership and members of the National Assembly for their prompt consideration of the bill, a further sign of the cooperation between the Executive and the Legislature in the service of the nation,” Onanuga said.
Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has congratulated the federal government to and people of Nigeria on the occasion of the country’s 66 independence anniversary.
Fubara also called on the people of the State to embrace peace and unity, describing them as indispensable pillars for the socioeconomic development of any society.
In a goodwill message issued on Fubara’s behalf by Onwuka Nzechi, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, he said the anniversary celebration offers an opportunity for the people to reflect on Nigeria’s journey since 1960 and to renew their commitment to peaceful coexistence.
The Governor noted that Rivers State, as the “treasure base of the nation” and a melting pot of diverse ethnic nationalities, has always thrived when its people lived in harmony. He said no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of rancour, division and political hostility.
According to him, while political differences are normal in a democracy, they must never be allowed to undermine the collective interest of the State. “We may disagree as politicians, but we must never disagree on the peace and progress of Rivers State,” he stated.
Governor Fubara stressed that since assumption of office, his administration has anchored its governance philosophy on peace, describing it as the most invaluable infrastructure. He said the relative peace enjoyed in the State today has made it possible for his government to attract investments and execute projects across the three senatorial districts.
He therefore appealed to youths, traditional rulers, political leaders and all stakeholders to be ambassadors of peace in their communities, wards and local government areas, stressing that no one benefits when the State is in crisis.
The Governor further urged Rivers people to continue to support the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that national unity and sub-national cooperation are critical to achieving the goals of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
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