The National Deputy Commander, Nigeria Hunter and Forest Security Service, (NHFSS), Ambassador Dr Joshua Wole Osatimehin says the bill to recognise hunters in Nigeria when assented to by the president would empower them to assist security agents to fight crime in the country.
Ambassador Joshua stated this during the passing out parade of their national 2024 three days capacity training for Abia hunters held at Umuahia township stadium. The training started on Friday, 29th March and ended on Sunday 31st March, 2024.
According to him, crime has affected so many things in Nigeria, hence the need to embrace hunters because they have recorded successes in various states.
Joshua insisted that the bill when signed will benefit Nigeria, as hungers would enjoy full powers to penetrate many bushes to fish out criminals and provide jobs for people.
He charged the participants among other hunters to make discipline their Watchword and respect the constituted authorities like the Police, Army, DSS and other security agents.
Wole disclosed that the hunters received lectures from him, the civil defence, road safety and other resource persons.
Also speaking, national commander Wisdom Ananaba said the training was designed to show the state government their love for him, having heard and seen what he is doing to develop Abia State.
Ananaba added that they want to see Abia as a crime free State and give protection to lives and properties.
Addressing the participants, the assistant commander and south east zonal commander, Mark Okem Okonkwo said the training is a signal to Abia State government that hunters are ready to do more than they had done in the past.
Okonkwo said he believed that Governor Alex Otti will motivate them by providing them things they need to do more.
While charging them to be discipline, Okonkwo maintained that only the hunters can easily identify the hideout of criminals. He revealed that the south east response are ready to assist any neighouring state and congratulated Abia State command for successful hosting of the training.
Contributing, the deputy commander for admin/special duties, Ferdinald N. Nwagwu appealed to Governor Alex Otti to involve hunters in his internal security network to enable them secure their bushes and forest which had been a safe heaven for the criminals.
Nwagwu pointed out that for them to work effectively, they need encouragement, logistics to carry out their duties effectively. He also listed some of the achievements they have recorded, especially the arrest of some criminals.
In his speech earlier, State commander, Dr Sunday Nmeribe boosted that they are not afraid of death and God has made them kings of the bushes, adding that they own even the lions and pythons in bushes.
Nmeribe stated that hunters know their terrain very well and therefore he encouraged the hunters to use such advantage to fish out hoodlums around their locality and hand them over to appropriate authorities.
He joined his colleagues to appeal to Governor Alex Otti to adopt them, equip them, assuring that they would deliver.
Dr Nmeribe flanked by the deputy public relations commander, Abia State, Chief Emmanuel O. Agwu expressed joy that they are willing to join the Governor create a new Abia.
However, the 2024 national training of Nigeria hunter and forest security service, federal republic of Nigeria, (NHFSS) featured parades and attracted their members across Nigeria.
