The Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council has implored the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service to remain undaunted in assisting in safeguarding lives and properties in the country even as the agency awaits full passage of its establishment bill by the national assembly.
It could be recalled that the Nigerian Senate had passed the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service Establishment Bill into law. The House of Representatives is expected to follow suit before presidential assent to the Law is sought.
Deliberating on matters bordering on the agency’s operations over the weekend when the Akwa Ibom State Command of the agency paid a courtesy visit to the traditional rulers at their council chambers in Uyo, Paramount Rulers across the state unanimously thumbed up their operations but urged them to limit themselves to providing intelligence to lawfully recognized security agencies until the anticipated law for their establishment comes to fruition.
Stressing that security is everyone’s business, the President General, Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council and Oku Ibom Ibibio, His Royal Majesty Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Daniel Etuk, who spoke on behalf of the council, after the Paramount Rulers had reviewed the activities of the group, said the importance of paramilitary groups in the security architecture of the country cannot be understated, insisting that the police, army, navy, air force and the civil defence must be supported by paramilitary and volunteer groups.
“You know our communities well, you know the nooks and crannies, and you know the terrain. Security is everyone’s business; we need more of such groups if what they do does not affect society negatively. As traditional rulers, we are always available for support and advice. Operate properly but we still insist that the group be properly registered,” the Oku Ibom advised.
The Oku Ibom maintained that an Establishment Law assented to by the President would help the service to operate without hindrances.
Related: Akwa Ibom Traditional Rulers Council To Partner Police in Crime-fighting
Earlier in his remarks, State Commandant of the Service, Commandant John Essien said the organisation has over the years been collaborating with the police and other security agencies to ensure security in communities and forests across the country.
He divulged that members of the service are well-trained in security operations and that their membership transcends the national level to the unit level: “We have been trained, we are very organized. We have our members throughout the country, from the unit level up to the national levels.”
The Commandant also appealed to traditional rulers to allow members of the service access to their domains as well as use their vintage position to convince the federal government to expedite action in the legalization process of the service.
He promised that the agency will work closely with the traditional institution for enhanced results.
In the Commandant’s delegation were Assistant Commandant, Barr Raphael Etim and other officers of the command.
