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As part of measures to safeguard the forest and combat crimes and criminality, the Ebonyi State Government has recruited and trained 2,600 youths into the Nigeria Hunter and Forest Security Service, NHFSS.
Speaking during the grand finale of the two weeks in-house capacity building for the newly recruited youths in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, the State’s Governor, Francis Nwifuru said the move was to further protect lives and property of people of the State most especially in rural areas who are surrounded by forests.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Uchenna Stephen, said the beneficiaries were recruited for the 13 Local Government Areas of the State.
He stated that the move would go a long way in safeguarding the ungoverned spaces within and around Ebonyi State towards restoring the confidence of people of the State on effective security.
According to him, the recruitment is also part of strategies to create jobs and empower youths in the State.
The governor, who commended the activities and cooperation of the Nigeria Hunter and Forest Security Service in the State said his administration would continue to partner the Service in the fight against insecurity in the forest.
In a remark, the Member of House of Representatives from Ebonyi State, Chinedu Ogah, stressed the need for constitutional recognition of NHFSS towards combating kidnapping, banditry, boko haram and terrorism and other forms of crimes in the forest across the country.
He therefore pledged continuous legislative support to the State Government in the area of security and good governance.
Earlier, the Commander General of NHFSS, Ambassador Joshua Osatimehin, said Ebonyi State Government is the first in the South East and number four in Nigeria to recruit and trained youths into NHFSS activities of safeguarding Nigerian forest.
“I really appreciate His Excellency, Governor Nwifuru for his proactiveness to curb forest crimes in Ebonyi State and its environs.
“The State Government and our Command there have been having harmonious relationship and even by extension to the formal security agencies like the Police, DSS, Civil Defence and other constituted authorities because during this training officers of the Nigeria Police Force were there to offer us their words of experience and expertise and this has enable us to really benefited from this collaboration and the State Governor has equally demonstrated that he’s a peace loving Governor and we really appreciate his kind gesture extended to NHFSS,” Ambassador Osatimehin said.
He therefore advised the newly recruited NHFSS officers to shun acts detrimental to the objectives of NHFSS and contribute their quota to improving internal security in the State.
“This is a golden opportunity for them to be more focus, more professional and discipline because the level of responsibilities that the Governor has shoulder on them should be reciprocated because security is everybody’s business and they should endeavour to work with constituted authorities for the purpose of defeating insecurity and criminality within and outside Ebonyi State,” he added.
The event, which featured presentation of certificates to the participants, was attended by representatives of the 13 Local Government Areas in the state and stakeholders in the security sector.
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