John Mecthie, the deputy commander-general (intelligence) of the Nigerian Hunter and Forest Security Service (NHFSS), has called for a ”transition of forest guards” into a National Security Service to strengthen the nation’s security.

Mr Metchie, in an interview with journalists on Monday in Abuja, said the transition of NHFSS into Nigeria Forest Guards Services (NFGS) would help to fight crimes effectively in ungoverned spaces.

He said it would serve as a potent panacea to tackling kidnapping, banditry, separatism, and other crimes perpetuated through forests, bushes, and related ungoverned territories.

According to him, the unscrupulous activities of hoodlums in and around ungoverned territories are militating against Nigeria’s economic development.

“Each time people are kidnapped and taken into the bushes, the nation continues to lose billions of naira and foreign direct investments due to bad image and negative reputation caused by insecurity,” Mr Metchie said.

Mr Metchie opposed the views conveyed by the commandant-general of NSCDC, Ahmed Audi, at a public hearing in Abuja on the bill to establish the Nigeria Mines Ranger Service.

He said that Mr Audi’s opposition to the establishment of a new security outfit in the country was not for the nation’s overall security and well-being, adding that NSCDC was overwhelmed by its tasks.

“There is a strong need for more hands to come into the security architecture of the nation. We should not sacrifice our motivation and opportunities to bring more hands on deck and to work to curb insecurity in Nigeria at the altar of personal interest and material gains.

“Opinion leaders have long identified the huge ungoverned territories as a major challenge in combating insecurity in Nigeria. These are mostly in the forests, bushes, and deserts, as well as in creeks, swampy areas, and other difficult terrains that are unmanned due to inadequate capacity. This is the capacity and gap we as forest guards want to fill,” he said.

Mr Metchie said that the Nigeria Forest Guards Services, which NHFSS is transitioning to, was the missing link, gap, and lacuna in Nigeria’s security architecture.

According to him, unless incorporated into national security, the challenges will continue to overwhelm Nigeria because of the security vulnerability in bushes, forests, and other ungoverned areas.

He added that the planned metamorphosis of NHFSS into NFGS would bring all ungoverned territories in the country under the sovereign control of Nigeria.

Mr Metchie said the service was structured so that its operatives exist at the grassroots among the people and work in familiar terrains, such as bushes, forests, deserts, and creeks.

“With requisite federal backing and provision of necessary security gadgets, our men will further leverage on the familiarity of terrain, our large numerical strength, experience, and grassroots spread to man all territories, including the very difficult terrains,’’ he added.

(NAN)