From Wilson Okereke, Afikpo
Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS), Ebonyi State Command, has pledged to utilize their familiarity with the state’s terrain to fight criminality to a standstill.
NHFSS State Commander, Larry Igwe made this known during solidarity road walk in major streets of Abakaliki, the state capital, in appreciation of Governor Francis Nwifuru for enrolling 2,600 people into the organization.
He stated that it was in the process of screening and integrating the successful persons that they considered it wise to stage the event as a way of also creating awareness about their existence in the state.
According to him, it is their obligation to assist the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies in crime prevention, promotion of law and order and partner with the relevant stakeholders on community policing.
“It is our vision to prevent crime by improving security through joint patrols with the police to locate kidnappers and drug dealers in the forests.
“It is also our mandate to reduce crime by increasing crime prevention awareness campaigns and develop neighbourhood crime prevention programmes,” he said.
Igwe also added that all the criteria needed in the hunting profession as fitness, skills and focus could be found in his men and assured of working towards protection of lives and property in the state.
Commissioner for Internal Security, Atta Uka lauded the organisers of the programme, explaining that the NHFSS is a nationally recognised outfit saddled with the responsibility of finding out all the criminal activities taking place in the bushes and forests.
“It is on this note that we deemed it necessary to select the people who know all the bushes in the state, it is not wise to select someone from Ohaukwu LGA to secure a forest in Afikpo, so the work requires those who are conversant with the environment,” he explained.
He further said that the state government through his office was poised to give all the support and expressed optimism on the gallantry of the people.