Weeks after the kidnap of Anambra lawmaker coupled with the abduction of an Anglican clergy and 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 daredevil gunmen alongside other heinous crimes being perpetrated across Ànambra, the Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS) has declared that it is ready to partner and collaborate with the government of Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo to comb all the forests in Anambra State where killers and kidnappers of innocent citizens have their camps and territories.
Anambra commander of the Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS) Destiny Jonas who spoke to HEADLINE NEWS about the exploits of the organization, said that NFSS is ever willing and ready 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 noted 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 intended to rid the hinterlands off criminal elements unleashing terror and mayhem on the people.
He said that NFSS can gather intelligence to demobilize any kind of force in the forest. That all that is needed is the collaboration of government agencies and government itself including recognition of the Nigerian Forest Security Service.
The security expert maintained 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 was worried and concerned that investors are fleeing from Anambra to invest in other states because of insecurity In the land. Although he pointed out that officers and men of the Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS) assisted the Police and other security agents to ensure safety of those who returned to Anambra State for the festive season but still emphasized that a lot more have to be done to redeem Anambra forests from the tutelage of daredevil gunmen and other criminal minds.
Jonas stated that impassible remote areas like Achala, Igbariam, Nsugbe and some others were hitch free because men of the NFSS were stationed in those places. He also disclosed that NFSS has identified some flashpoints (bushes) across Ànambra 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 even as he stated that some kidnapped victims were rescued by the operatives of the Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS) this yuletide season.That the plan of NFSS is to make sure that Anambra forests are free from criminal activities like deforestation, kidnappings and all manner of criminalities.
The Anambra State NFSS commander however expressed gratitude profound to the Deputy Commander-General (Intelligence) of the Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS) Amb. Dr. John Metchie for his monumental supports to the service describing him as an enigma.
He said that Dr. John 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, adding that if there are more John Metchies in Anambra, the state will definitely turn around for good.
He also extolled the efforts and giant strides of the Commander-General of the Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS) Amb. Dr. Joshua Osatimehin for ensuring unity of purpose and cohesion in the service.