The Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS) Thursday said it is ready to partner and with the Anambra state governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, to comb all the forests in which killers and kidnappers of innocent citizens have their camps and territories.
This is coming weeks after the kidnap of Anambra lawmaker and the abduction of an Anglican clergy, including the killing of a Catholic priest as well as the most recent brutal massacre of eight persons in Chigbonu village, Umuike Ubahuekwem Ihiala on 30th December, 2024 by gunmen.
The Anambra Commander of the NFSS, Destiny Jonas, said the NFSS is willing to offer its expertise in securing the forests and bushes both for economic reasons and security purposes, adding that their operations are mostly in the forests and bushes because they know the terrain very well.
The NFSS state commander stated that NFSS would be most obliged to join forces with other security agencies to ensure the success of the Operation Udo Ga Di Na Anambra Security Initiative of the state government with the intention to rid the hinterlands of criminal elements unleashing terror and mayhem on the people.
He said NFSS can gather intelligence to demobilise any kind of force in the forest, adding that all that is needed is the collaboration of government agencies and government itself, including recognition of the NFSS.
The security expert stated further that officers of the NFSS are ready to rescue Anambra forests from unknown gunmen and other criminal elements, but the need for recognition and roundtable discussions are of paramount importance.
He expressed concern that investors are fleeing from Anambra state to invest in other states because of insecurity.
He said officers and men of the NFSS had assisted the police and other security agents to ensure safety of those who returned to the state for the festive season but emphasised that a lot more needed to be done to redeem Anambra forests from the gunmen and other criminal minds.
He added that impassable remote areas like Achala, Igbariam, Nsugbe and some others were hitch- free because men of the NFSS were stationed in those places.
He also stated that NFSS has identified some flashpoints and bushes across the state where it will declare total war on criminal camps from January 2025.
He said all that is required now is permission from the authorities to enable them launch massive operations in the identified black spots and that some kidnapped victims were rescued by the operatives of the NFSS this Yuletide season.
The state NFSS commander expressed profound gratitude to the Deputy Commander-General (Intelligence) of the NFSS, Ambassador John Metchie for his enormous support to the service.
He said Metchie is not only interested in the security and safety of Anambra citizens but also interested in the protection of lives and property of Nigerians across the federation.
He added that if there were more Metchies in Anambra state, the state would definitely turn around for good.
He extolled the efforts and giant strides of the Commander-General of the NFSS, Ambassador Joshua Osatimehin, for ensuring unity of purpose and cohesion in the service.