Hunters condemn US embassy staff attack, call for collaboration to tackle insecurity

John Metchie, deputy commander general of Nigerians Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS) in charge of Technical Services, has condemned Tuesday’s attack on some officials of the US Embassy in Anambra State, Nigeria.

He made this known to pressmen in Abuja on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, while reacting to the incident.

According to multiple reports, the murdered embassy staff were on medical outreach to Amiyi/Eke Ochuche communities in Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state where they were killed and their bodies burnt.

Reacting to the development in a statement, Metchie said the incident is barbaric, adding that the attack was an affront to humanity since the victims were said to be on a medical outreach for the benefit of indigent people.

Metchie who is also the African director of the International Association of World Peace Advocates, equally condemned Tuesday night’s attack and killing of about 30 persons in Bwoi District of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau.

“I regret that Plateau, which in the past was the most peaceful state in Nigeria, has become a killing field for some years now.

“We urged the federal and state governments to appreciate, embrace and work with officers and men of the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS), in order to bring an end to such crimes,” said Metchie, who doubles as the Prime Minister of Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU) and President General of Umueri Community.

Read also: No US citizen killed in Anambra convoy vehicle attack – Official

According to him, most criminal elements known as terrorists, gunmen, bandits and kidnappers, among others, use the forests as their hideouts and also retire back to the forests after carrying out their nefarious activities.

In addition, he said President Muhammadu Buhari should sign the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service Bill into law as a parting gift to the incoming administration.

“On behalf of Joshua Wole Osatimehin, commander general of the NHFSS, let me also use this opportunity to once again, urge the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, to as a matter of national importance, give presidential assent to the Nigerian Hunters and Forestry Security Service Bill which has been passed by the two chambers of the National Assembly.

“Knowing that the primary responsibility of the NHFSS, is to curb crimes and criminalities in Nigerian forests, the President’s assent to the Bill would empower Officers and Men of NHFSS and further motivate them to occupy strategic positions in the forests and farms, and that way, make it difficult for those using the forests to carry out nefarious activities against the state and people of Nigeria,” he said.

According to the Metchie, apart from curbing banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and other anti-people activities, signing the Bill into law would enable the government to recruit thousands of young men and women as hunters, which would help to solve the issue of acute unemployment, one of the most serious challenges facing the nation.

“We need to reiterate therefore, that one of the greatest legacies President Buhari would leave behind as the Father of the Nation is to sign the NHFSS Bill into law to boost the fight against insecurity and provide massive employment for citizens, especially young men and women, which in itself, is another way of reducing crimes and criminalities,” he said.