Deputy Commander-General, Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS) John Metchie, want President Muhammadu Buhari, to give assent to the Nigerian Hunters and Forestry Security Service Bill which he said, has already been passed by the chambers of the National Assembly.
Metchie is also advocating for the recruitment and empowerment of young Nigerians as hunters and forest guards to curb banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and other vices.
The DCG who made the advocacy in a statement signed by his media officer, Bonaventure Melah on Tuesday, said the primary responsibility of the NHFSS, was to curb crimes and criminalities in Nigerian forests.
Metchie commended police authorities for rescuing 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…the rescue was carried by the Police, in collaboration with other security operatives as well as Hunters”, Metchie said.
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.
Writing by Zaccheaus Babalola; Editing by Muzha Kucha and Julian Osamoto