The Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS), has commended Police authorities for the rescue of 58 victims of banditry and kidnap.

It would be recalled that the FCT Command of the Nigeria Police had over the weekend, said it rescued 58 kidnap victims held hostage at Udulu Forest in Gegu LGA of Kogi State, bordering Sardauna Forest in Nasarawa State and other identified kidnappers’ dens in communities contiguous to the Territory

FCT Police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, said the rescue was part of efforts by the FCT Command leadership, in a sustained joint operation with other security agencies, vigilantes and hunters from the various local communities, to combat violent crimes in the FCT, rescue victims and bring perpetrators to book.

Reacting to the development, the Deputy Commander General (DCG) of NHFSS in charge of Technical Services, Ambassador John Chukwudi Metchie, in a statement Tuesday, said the primary responsibility of the NHFSS, was to curb crimes and criminalities in Nigerian forests, and therefore urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to as a matter of urgency, give assent to the Nigerian Hunters and Forestry Security Service Bill which he said, has been passed by the chambers of the National Assembly.

Chief Metchie who is also the African Director, International Association of World Peace Advocates, said that in recent times, reports from Police and other security agencies across the country indicate that hunters have become strategic partners in operations to rid the country of crimes, especially those carried out inside and within forests, especially by providing information and intelligence.

DCG Metchie who doubles as the Prime Minister of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU) and the President General of Umueri Community, said that the President’s assent to the Bill would empower Officers and Men of NHFSS and further motivate them to occupy strategic positions in the forests and farms, and that way, make it difficult for those using the forests to carry out nefarious activities against the state and people of Nigeria.

He noted that one of the most sustainable ways to curb banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and other anti-people activities, was to recruit, arm and empower young men and women as hunters and forest guards to make it difficult for criminals to operate from the forests, adding that, it would also help in reducing unemployment in the country.

He said therefore that one of the greatest legacies President Buhari would leave behind is to sign the bill into law to boost the fight against insecurity.

Metchie said- “On behalf of the Commander General of the NHFSS, Dr. Joshua Wole Osatimehin, I want to commend the Nigerian Police for the rescue of 58 victims of banditry and kidnap.

“Before their rescue, these citizens of Nigeria were held hostage for days, some months, at Udulu Forest in Gegu LGA of Kogi State, bordering Sardauna Forest in Nasarawa State and other identified kidnappers’ dens in communities contiguous to the Territory

“From the statement given by the FCT Police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, the rescue was carried by the Police, in collaboration with other security operatives as well as Hunters.

“It is therefore imperative, that Hunters have become integral and inseparable part of Nigeria’s security system, especially in the areas of information and intelligence gathering. Hunters have also apprehended many criminals in various communities across the country and handed them over to the Police, Army and other security agencies while also contributing in foiling plans by bandits, terrorists and others, especially within forests and farms.

“We therefore use this opportunity, to once again, appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari, to as a matter of national importance, give assent to the Nigerian Hunters and Forestry Security Service Bill which has been passed by the chambers of the National Assembly.

“The call has become necessary in view of the fact that the current administration has but a few weeks to handover to the next.

“Knowing that the primary responsibility of the NHFSS, is to curb crimes and criminalities in Nigerian forests, the President’s assent to the Bill would empower Officers and Men of NHFSS and would further motivate them occupy strategic position in the forests and farms, and that way, make it difficult for those using the forests to carry out nefarious activities against the state and people of Nigeria.

“Apart from curbing banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and other anti-people activities, signing the Bill into law, would enable government recruit thousands of young men and women as hunters and forest guards which would help to solve the issue of acute unemployment, one of the most serious challenge facing the nation.

“In conclusion, we wish to state 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,” Metchie concluded.