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Rescue of 58 kidnap victims: NHFSS commends Police, reminds Buhari of Hunters Bill to deter forests crimes
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.
Months after Peter Obi’s spokesman, Andy Okonkwo dumped the Labour Party presidential candidate for the 2023 general election, the embattled national chairman of the party, Barrister Julius Abure, has described Obi and Governor Alex Otti of Abia State as betrayers who are deliberately creating divisions within the party.
He said this on Monday in Abuja at a national executive council (NEC) meeting held at the party’s headquarters, where he expressed belief that the crisis facing the party would soon be over.
It would be recalled that Obi, Otti and some party stalwarts convened a stakeholders meeting last Wednesday in Umuahia, Abia State, where they elected a former Minister of Finance, Mrs Esther Nenadi Usman, as the Chairman of a 29-man caretaker committee to resolve the crisis in the party and channel a way forward.
The Abure-led national working committee (NWC) however rejected such meeting, describing it as illegal and of no effects.
Speaking at the Monday meeting, Abure said, “We are at a critical juncture in the life of our party. Recent events have shown that those who should stand with us in the fight for a better, restructured, organised, and united Party have chosen a different path.
“A path not of unity, but of division. I speak, of course, of the illegal gathering that took place in Abia State, an attempt to create a rift within our party, led by none other than His Excellency Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti,” Abure said.
He said that the meeting, held without the authority or consent of the National Executive Council, sought to install a so-called ‘new leadership’.
He insisted that himself and his colleagues elected in the convention of the party held on the 27th March 2024 will defend the mandate given to them by members of the party and that no amount of intimidation or harassment would make them surrender the leadership of the party.
The convention, held in Anambra State, was marred by controversies.
Abure said, “Let me be clear: This action was not just illegal, it was a betrayal of everything the Labour Party stands for, a reward for loyalty with ingratitude, a reward for support with insubordination.
“Our mandate is to unite this country, not divide it. Yet, here we are, faced with a situation where individuals who have benefited from the trust and support of this great party now work to destabilize it from within.
“For those who have chosen to align themselves with this illegal action, I urge them to reconsider. The act of creating division is not just a political maneuver, it is a dangerous game. A game that, if allowed to continue, will dig a hole too deep for us to climb out of. Division within the Labour Party is division within Nigeria.
“And make no mistake, the consequences of such actions will not only affect the future of this party but the future of those who want to run elections under its platform.”
He said that those who seek to tear the party apart with backroom deals and illegal meetings must not be allowed to do so.
He said, “What message does it send to Nigerians when meetings meant to divide us are held in Abia State, a state that has become a symbol of resilience? At a time when this nation is struggling with ethnic divisions, such actions do not promote unity, they deepen the wounds of distrust.
“Nigerians are watching, and they will not be silent. We cannot afford to play politics with the future of our Party.
“I call on all true members of the Labour Party to stand firm. This is not the time for betrayal; it is the time for solidarity. We must reject the actions of those who, for their own interests, seek to weaken us.
“I remain committed to leading this party in the right direction, one that aligns with the hopes and aspirations of Nigerians.”
V
It was a tragic weekend for Mariah Carey as her mother Patricia and sister Alison died on the same day over the weekend, the US singer has said.
In a statement released on Monday, the Grammy-winning singer expressed her grief: “My heart is broken that I’ve lost my mother this past weekend. Sadly, in a tragic turn of events, my sister lost her life on the same day.”
Carey, who had spent time with her mother in the week before her death, requested privacy during this difficult time. Details regarding the causes of death have not been disclosed.
Anambra State Government has warned residents and communities of the rising water levels of the River Niger.
The government said flood prone Local Government Areas such Anambra East, Anambra West, Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Awka North, Ihiala and Ogbaru are advised to be alert.
Paul Obi, the State commissioner for information, in a statement sent to Nationwide Reports quoted the Director General, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Mr Umar Mohammed to have said on Friday, that floodwaters from countries in the River Niger system are gradually moving towards Nigeria, starting with Kebbi State.
He said the development is attributed to upstream activities in Niger Republic and Mali.
While assuring that dam operators at Kainji and Jebba, situated on the River Niger, have been informed and are on standby, the agency stated that the dams are not currently spilling water from their reservoirs as of August 22.
The risk of flooding is however, expected to peak by the end of August and into September.
Anambra communities along the River Niger system are therefore advised to remain vigilant.
*PAUL NWOSU*
Commissioner for Information,
Anambra State
August 24, 2024
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