By Sumaila Ogbaje

Amb. John Metchie, the Deputy Commander General of the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS), has urged Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, to empower guards of the service to protect the people.

Metchie made the call while reacting to the recent killing of over 50 people in Plateau in Abuja.

The commander said he was touched by the unfortunate incident, being an indigene of Plateau by circumstances of his birth in Jos and marriage to a woman from there.

He said the call was made on behalf of the Commander General of the Service, Dr Joshua Osatimehin.

While expressing his heartfelt sympathy to the governor and the people of the state, Metchie said the Abuja headquarters of NFSS, had already established a command in Plateau.

He urged the state government to recruit young people, provide them operational vehicles and other tools to safeguard the forests, working with the military, police and other security and intelligence agencies.

According to him, Plateau is one of the states with the most forested areas in the country.

“The governor should deploy forest security operatives to guard borders and other strategic parts, as a way of deterring criminal elements from infiltration.

“Nigeria, with huge population of over 215 million, cannot be left in the hands of already established security agencies alone,” he said.

Metchie, who is also the African Director, International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA), said that states like Kogi and Bauchi, among others, have embraced the services of NFSS.

He said that successes were being recorded in securing the states.

“We are aware that Plateau is one of the most forested states in the country, which makes it easy prey for criminals to infiltrate and operate in the state from the forests.

“Knowing that the primary assignment of NFSS is to curb crimes and criminalities, especially those that are committed within the forested regions, we believe that the NFSS, will in no small way, assist security agencies to fight insecurity in Plateau through intelligence gathering and sharing as well as combat engagement against undesirable elements.

“Already, the NFSS has a well-established and functional command structure in Plateau.

“What is needed is for the government to recruit hundreds of young people from across the communities, empower them with operational vehicles and other necessary tools to guard and protect their people.

“One of the advantages of making use of NFSS, is that operatives are recruited from locals to guard and protect their communities and relatives.

“With the special training NFSS operatives undergo, we are well equipped to understand the terrains more than strangers and, therefore, in a better position to record successes in our responsibilities.

“I, therefore, call on my good friend and brother, the Governor, to approach the headquarters of NFSS to discuss and agree on the best way to go about making peace in return to Plateau again,” he stated.

The NFSS boss also called on President Bola Tinubu to sign the NFSS Bill which, according to him, was recently passed by the senate, saying it would help to strengthen security across the country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Hamza Suleiman

The Borno government has commemorated the 11th anniversary of the abduction of schoolgirls from Government Girls Secondary School Chibok, with a strong show of solidarity and support for their families.

The event, which held at Chibok Local Government Area, was led by Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno.

“This is not the first time the Borno State Government is reaching out. Since day one, successive administrations have supported Chibok.

“Under Governor Zulum, this commitment has been further strengthened. We will not give up until every missing girl is found,” Zulum who was represented by the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo said.

The governor assured that the rescued girls were undergoing full rehabilitation and reintegration programmes designed to empower them academically and economically.

“A total of ₦10 million in financial assistance and food items were distributed to the parents of the 276 abducted girls as part of the government’s continued support for the affected families.” he said.

The Council Chairman of Chibok, Mustapha Modu, Member of the State House of Assembly, Pogu Lawan representing Chibok, and the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs, Hauwa Mai Musa, also expressed appreciation to Borno Government for the gesture. 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the girls were abducted on April 14, 2014 by Boko Haram insurgents, an incident that drew global outrage.

So far, 189 have been rescued, with 18 currently under the care of the state government, receiving psychosocial support, vocational training, and academic tutorials in preparation to retake their WAEC examinations. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has dismissed reports alleging that inmates were being poorly fed and dying of hunger in custodial centres across the country.

Reacting to the claims in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja, the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Abubakar Umar, said the reports were “misleading, sensational, and grossly inaccurate.”

Umar stressed that the claims, which were completely untrue, do not reflect the actual situation in the country’s custodial facilities.

He explained that the Federal Government makes dedicated budgetary provisions every year for the feeding of inmates, and that the funds were judiciously utilised under strict supervision and guidelines.

He explained that each inmate was entitled to three meals daily — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — as stipulated in the operational guidelines of the service.

According to Umar, all custodial centres are governed by operational procedures that ensure the proper and timely feeding of all inmates.

“The Federal Government allocates funds specifically for the feeding of inmates, and the process is strictly monitored to ensure compliance with established standards.

“The allegation that inmates are dying of hunger is unfounded. There is no record in any of our custodial centres that inmates are being starved or dying because of inadequate feeding.

“It is completely false to insinuate that inmates are left to starve or that hunger is leading to deaths within our facilities.

“We want to assure the public that inmates are properly fed and their welfare remains a top priority for the Nigerian Correctional Service,” he said.

The service spokesman said that the report was not only unethical but also defied logic, given the tight security measures and restricted access to correctional centres.

Umar said that entry into correctional centres was governed by strict protocols requiring written applications, approval from the Officer-in-Charge, and in some cases, clearance from the Controller-General.

“I wonder how a journalist could claim to have interviewed inmates inside a custodial facility. These are high-security zones where you can’t just walk in, let alone carry recording devices.

“Even cameras and mobile phones are prohibited because of the risk of concealed recording. So, for anyone to say they interviewed inmates inside a custodial centre is nothing but a fabrication,” he added.

Umar emphasised that the NCoS had strengthened its internal monitoring mechanisms to ensure the proper use of resources meant for inmates’ welfare, including the feeding programme.

He said that the officers in charge of custodial centres were held accountable, and there was a supervisory system at the national and state levels to ensure that the approved standards were maintained.

He pointed out that the NCoS had a zero-tolerance policy for negligence or mismanagement relating to the welfare of inmates.

“We maintain a robust accountability system. Any officer found wanting in the discharge of their duties faces appropriate disciplinary measures in line with the law, “he added.

While acknowledging that the service, like many other public institutions, faces operational challenges, Umar maintained that such challenges have not compromised the feeding arrangements for inmates.

Umar, however, expressed concern that such unfounded reports could create unnecessary public anxiety and tarnish the image of the service.

“We are not oblivious to the economic realities and general constraints, but these have not in any way translated to starvation or hunger-related deaths in our facilities.

“We urge media organisations to always seek clarification from credible sources before going to press.

“Journalism is a noble profession that thrives on accuracy and responsibility. Publishing unverified and sensational stories can undermine public trust.”

“We expect the media to seek clarification from appropriate authorities before rushing to publish such sensitive stories that can mislead the public,” he said.

According to him, the current administration of President Bola Tinubu had significantly improved funding for inmate welfare and custodial infrastructure.

He added that the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had also shown deep commitment to reforming the correctional system.

“When this government came in, they looked into the issue of inmate feeding and increased the allocation by 50 per cent. That was the first step toward improving the welfare of those in our custody, and it is subject to further review.

“We have a minister who is passionate and working round the clock. A panel has been set up to further review inmate feeding, and I am confident that positive changes are on the horizon,” he said.

Umar reiterated that the NCoS remained committed to the welfare, reformation, and rehabilitation of inmates in line with international best practices.

He stressed that the NCoS remained open to scrutiny and collaboration with stakeholders, including the media, civil society organisations, and international partners.

He urged members of the public, CSOs and the media to visit custodial centres and independently verify the conditions under which inmates were kept.

Umar advised the public to disregard the false reports, assuring Nigerians that the NCoS remained steadfast in its duty to uphold the rights and welfare of inmates.

“Our facilities are open to oversight visits by relevant stakeholders. We operate transparently and welcome constructive engagement aimed at improving our operations.

“We are committed to humane and dignified treatment of all persons in our custody. Our mandate goes beyond mere incarceration. It includes reforming and rehabilitating inmates to ensure they return to society as better individuals.

“We urge the public to continue to support our efforts in building a correctional system that the nation can be proud of,” he added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba