Insecurity: Forest guards seek integration into Anambra security architecture
By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS), has urged Gov. Charles Soludo of Anambra to consider involving forest guards to support the state’s special intervention force: ‘Operation Udo Ga Achi’ to rid the state of insecurity.
The Deputy Commander-General (Intelligence) of NFSS, Dr John Metchie, made the call while addressing newsmen on the security situation in the country on Thursday in Abuja.
Metchie said that the state security apparatus could record monumental achievements in the safety and security of lives and property with the support of NFSS, because of its understanding of the forests terrain.
“Udo Ga Achi security framework is a noble idea. It is already restoring peace and calmness in most troubled areas in the state, especially with the discovery and demolition of kidnappers’ camps across Anambra by men of the Agunechemba squad.
The deputy commander-general, who is also the President-General of Umueri community in Anambra-East Local Government Area, said the proposed collaboration could be through intelligence and information gathering as pivotal means of winning the war against the insurgents.
According to him, the nomenclature of the NFSS suggests that its security operations are basically in the forests and that they have been adequately trained for the purpose of fighting crimes and criminals camping in the forests and bushes.
Metchie expressed confidence that the partnership would further enhance the success stories of the Udo Ga Achi security outfit, assuring that NFSS would be readily available to make its job easier, especially in the hinterlands.
He said that the NFSS operatives would assist the personnel of Udo Ga Achi squad with intelligence from the forests to aid their onslaught on criminal elements.
According to him, criminal activities are more pronounced in the villages and forests, adding, however, that the NFSS men had been trained to identify criminals and criminal hideouts in the forests.
“NFSS can equally provide more training for the personnel of the Udo Ga Achi squad, especially on how to identify criminals in the forests and also arm them with the requisite know-how on intelligence gathering and recovery of the forests from hoodlums,” he said.
Metchie thanked Soludo for the launch of the state security network, saying it was what the grassroots had been clamouring for in order to flush out criminals.
He said that studies had shown that criminality was more rampant in the rural areas than in urban centres, as most villages were less secured.
“Operation Udo Ga Achi is needed in the villages and communities to help flush out criminals and this should be maintained and sustained,” he stated. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq
