THE COMMANDER-GENERAL, Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS), Dr Joshua Osatimehin, has declared support for the call by Benue State governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, to equip local vigilantes and forest guards to protect the people.
Osatimehin, represented by the Deputy Commandant-General in charge of Intelligence, Dr John Metchie, stated this while speaking with newsmen in Abuja.
He said the local vigilance groups and forest guards set up by the state government lacked the capacity to confront bandits and other violent criminals terrorising local communities.
According to him, Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, said the State Protection Guards were only permitted to carry Dane guns, while militias brazenly wielded AK-47 and AK-49 rifles, making enforcement dangerous and largely ineffective.
The NFSS boss said the proposed law for the establishment of service, allows its operatives to bear arms.
He said the service would have what it takes to comb forests, flush out criminals and protect local communities in Benue and other states across the country from attacks.
He commended the military and other security agencies for rising up to the occasion, with a view of ensuring that such ugly incidences do not re-occur.
He also commended President Bola Tinubu for personally visiting the affected state and giving directives to the security agencies to arrest perpetrators of the crimes.
“The Nigerian Forest Security Service, sympathies with the government and people of Benue, Plateau and other states recently affected by attacks by violent criminal elements, especially families of the victims.
“We agree with Governor Alia that local vigilantes and guards cannot protect communities, especially in cases where violent criminals who operate with high grade weapons are involved.
“It is for that reason that the NFSS is here as the missing link to bridge the gap.
“To that end, we use this opportunity to solicit the support of Governor Alia and all other stakeholders for the NFSS bill to be signed into law by Mr. President,” he said. (NAN)
