The Emir of Borgu Kingdom in Niger State, HRH Muhammed Sani Haliru Dantoro, has called on President Bola Tinubu to sign the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Services (NiHFS) Bill into law to help in tackling security challenges in the country.
He also commended officers and men of the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service for their contributions to national security.
According to him, signing the NiHFS Bill into law would enable officers and men of the organisation have government’s full backing and as well empower and embolden them to collaborate with the police and other security agencies in tackling security challenges in the country.
A statement by the Media Adviser of NHFSS, Dr. Bonaventure Melah, said the monarch stated these during a courtesy call on him by the management team of the organization, led by its Commander-General, Dr. Wole Joshua Osatimehin, in his Abuja residence.
While regretting that the natural roles of traditional rulers have been taken away from them through the constitutional amendment, the Emir stated that most of them were aware of the exploits of NHFSS in their local communities in crime control.
He assured the NHFSS management team of his support, saying that President Tinubu, being a listening leader would sign the Bill once his attention is drawn to it.
Emir Dantoro 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 been 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.
“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.”
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 has been in existence for over ten years, with command structures in the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory as well as 774 Local Government Areas.
Osatimehin informed the monarch that the Bill to establish the NHFSS has been passed by the two chambers of the National Assembly, waiting for the assent of the President.
To underscore the efforts of the NHFSS,
he said many state governments have recognised them and are currently working with the organization in tackling insecurity in Borno, Kebbi, Adamawa, Bauchi, Kogi, Imo, anf other States.
He also narrated the achievements recorded by NHFSS in the areas like intelligence gathering and sharing of information with security agencies, rescue of kidnap victims as well as apprehension of kidnappers, bandits, cattle rustlers and others.
The Deputy Commander-General of NHFSS (Technical Services), Ambassador John Metchie told the Emir that his late father saw the role Tinubu would play in the Nigeria and honoured him with the title of ‘Jagaban’, meaning Commander of the Warriors
He therefore expressed confidence that as Jagaban of Nigeria, President Tinubu would solve the security 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 include ACGs and Commanders from various departments of the organisation.
Highlights of the visit include presentation of plaque and Certificate to Emir Muhammed Sani Haliru Dantoro as a patron of NHFSS.
Friday Olokor, Abuja
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