The Deputy Commander-General of the Nigerian Hunter and Forest Security Service (NHFSS), Johnny Metchie, has called on the Federal Government to transform the NHFSS into a National Security Service under the name Nigeria Forest Guard Services (NFGS).

He argued that this move would be a strategic solution to tackling kidnapping, banditry, and other crimes that are increasingly being perpetrated in forests and other ungoverned territories across the country.

Metchie said Nigeria is losing billions of naira and foreign exchange (forex) due to the negative image created by rampant crimes like kidnapping, banditry, and extremism. He noted that these criminal activities often take place in unmonitored forests, leading to a worsening security situation that has driven many companies out of the country. He stressed that establishing a forest guard service is crucial to protect these vulnerable areas.

While acknowledging the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to combat insecurity, Metchie pointed out that a significant challenge remains: vast, ungoverned territories, particularly forests, creeks, deserts, and swampy areas, which are currently unmanned due to limited capacity.

“This is the capacity and gap we, as Forest Guards, want to fill,” Metchie stated, adding that the NFGS could provide the missing link in Nigeria’s security architecture.

He highlighted that converting the NHFSS into a National Forest Guard Service would help secure these rugged terrains and reduce the country’s security vulnerabilities. According to him, insecurity will continue to plague Nigeria unless this gap is addressed, particularly in remote and forested regions.