The Nigerian Forest Security Service on Friday decorated six officers, with assurance to combat insecurity through improved surveillance.
Speaking, Commander General NFSS Joshua Osatimehin, who was represented by Yinka Obadofin, noted that the decoration was geared towards getting improved results, “We want to spur them to do more. They are well experienced officers who have excelled in their various fields and bringing them into NFSS is to assist us build the command.”
Continuing Osatimehin said the officers would help build the command, make the forest unhabitable for criminals, “Criminals hiding within the bush hibernating there comfortably they will make the forests uncomfortable for them. We selected them based on their wealth of experience to help us build the command and contribute to national development because soonest we are expecting Mr President to assent to our bill,” he added.
Secretary to Government of Gombe State Professor Ibrahim Njodi, who was represented by Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs Lt Abdullahi Bello (retd.), lauded the officers urging them to improve the opportunity given to them, “We congratulate the newly decorated,” he added.
While assuring them of the current administration’s support, Njodi added, “Come up with your demands, proposal. Gombe State Government will support you for our forests to be safe.”
Also speaking, Assistant Commander General Duties Isa Zambukk, said “We are just coming in but we have very specific mandate of ensuring that the forests are secured. Many may not appreciate the importance but virtually all the boundaries of this nation have forests.”
He continued saying, “There are natural benefits for us to benefit from them. Bandits come through the forest to perpetrate a lot of evil upon innocent Nigerians. Now President is saying if we can secure the forests, then he will be sure the borders will be secured bandits carry innocent people into the forests for ransom by the time they know we are in the forests with them I think they will change their minds.”
While urging for assent of NFSS law, Zambukk added, “One thing for sure is that we know what we want to achieve and Mr President knows exactly how he wants to achieve it all he wants to do is to get those who will really be part of the security outfit. For example the Nigeria Army has specific roles, the Police have specific roles but the forests are left out. So who will guard the forest that is why bandits have opportunity to do whatever they feel like doing but as soon as this bill is signed you will know that the difference will be clear.”
Also, Shittu Jafa’aru, who is with the erosion control unit North-East expressed optimism that decoration would spur him to improved services.
“Based on my trainings I will work to ensure the forests are conserved for the future generation. The most important thing is not only securing it from bandits and other terrorists organisation hiding within the forests but ensuring the forest is safe for the full utilisation of our children,” he added.
He continued saying “as an environmentalist, we will be using more of technology to monitor the forest, to dictate the depletion of the natural resources. We will use remote sensing to dictate areas that are depleting.”
