By Sunday Ani
The Emir of Borgu Kingdom in Niger State, Muhammed Sani Haliru Dantoro, has commended officers and men of the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS), for their contributions to the security of lives and property of the citizens of Nigeria.
The monarch also urged President Bola Tinubu to sign the NiHFS Bill into law to enable officers and men of the organisation have government’s full backing. According to him, that would be a way to empower and embolden them to collaborate with the Police and other security agencies in tackling security challenges in the country.
The Emir stated this on Thursday, when the management team of the NHFSS, led by its Commander General, Dr. Wole Osatimehin, paid him a courtesy visit in his Abuja residence.
The Emir, who regretted that the natural roles of traditional rulers have been taken away from them through the constitutional amendment, stated that most of them were aware of the exploits of the NHFSS in their local communities in crime control, and therefore are most suited to advise the government on how best to tackle community related crimes, especially those committed in forests and farms.
He said: “As traditional rulers, we are the direct custodians of the people. But things have changed. We should and ought to be allowed to play our natural roles from God. If we are allowed to play our roles, insecurity would not have got to this level. We know our people and the ability of the hunters. For the security of our domains, hunters are very critical. This is because they know how to go about their duties in their localities and achieve results.”
He assured the NHFSS management team of his support, saying that President Tinubu, whom he described as a listening leader, would sign the Bill once his attention is drawn to it.
“I, therefore, want to use this opportunity to call on Mr President, to sign the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service Bill into law, as a way of tackling security challenges in the country, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration, which has ending insecurity as one of its cardinal points.”
Emir Dantoro, also thanked the NHFSS management for finding time to pay him a visit and assured them of his support, as according to him, the Service, if recogisned as a government agency, would be of great importance to the country.
Speaking earlier, the Commander General of the NHFSS, Dr. Osatimehin, said they visited the Emir to draw inspiration from his wealth of wisdom, and to intimate him of the efforts of officers and men of the Service in tackling crimes in the country.
He told the Emir that the NHFSS had been in existence for over 10 years, and has command structures in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as in the 774 local government areas.
He informed the monarch that the Bill to establish the NHFSS had been passed by the two chambers of the National Assembly, waiting for the assent of the President.
Osatimehin noted that to underscore the efforts of the Service, many state governments have recognised them and are currently working with them in tackling insecurity. He mentioned some of the states to include Borno, Kebbi, Adamawa, Bauchi, Kogi and Imo, among others.
He said that thousands of personnel of the Service have undergone various forms of trainings at facilities owned by the Police, DSS, Army, NDLEA and others, aimed at preparing them for professional service.
He also narrated the achievements recorded by NHFSS in the areas like gathering and sharing of intelligence with security agencies, rescue of kidnap victims, as well as apprehension of kidnappers, bandits, cattle rustlers and others.
In his opening remark, the Deputy Commander General of NHFSS in charge of Technical Service, Ambassador John Metchie, told the Emir that his late father, Haliru Dantoro Kitoro 11, was a visionary leader who many years ago, saw the role the then Senator Bola Tinubu would play in the future for the country and honoured him with the title, Jagaban, which he said translates to commander of the warriors.
According to Metchie who is also the African Director, International Association of World Peace Advocates, (IAWPA), being the Commander-In-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, has naturally conferred the title of Jagaban of Nigeria to Tinubu, as envisioned by the late Emir many years ago.
He, therefore, expressed confidence that as Jagaban of Nigeria, President Tinubu would solve the insecurity challenges facing the nation, and pledged the readiness of NHFSS to play key role in achieving that.
Apart from Metchie, top officers who made up the team included ACGs and Commanders from various departments of the organisation.
Highlights of the visit included the presentation of plaque and certificate to Emir Dantoro as a patron of NHFSS by the Commander General, Dr. Osatimehin.