Ministry of Environment Initiates Collaboration with Security Agencies to Establish Special Force for Forest Security'"

"Ministry of Environment Initiates Collaboration with Security Agencies to Establish Special Force for Forest Security'"

The Ministry of Environment has announced a strategic collaboration with security agencies to establish a specialized force aimed at eliminating bandits, kidnappers, and insurgents from the forests across the country. Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas, revealed this crucial development during a two-day top management retreat held in Kaduna.

Addressing the urgent need for enhanced forest security, Abbas emphasized that the existing Forest Guards tasked with safeguarding the nation's forests have proven ineffective against the rising threats posed by bandits, poachers, and terrorists. The minister expressed concern over the forests becoming havens for criminal activities.

During the retreat, themed 'Policy Embedment and Prioritization of Key Action for a Renewed Hope in Environmental Management,' Abbas highlighted the ministry's commitment to expedite the cleanup of Ogoni land in the Niger Delta.

Minister Balarabe Abbas explained, "Our forests have become hibernation grounds for bandits, poachers, and kidnappers. To address this, we are collaborating with security forces to implement measures that will flush out these threats and restore safety to the communities around these forests."

He further emphasized the importance of a robust force to reclaim and secure the forests, working in tandem with the military, Department of State Services, police, and other security agencies. The goal is to eliminate insurgents, bandits, kidnappers, and poachers, thereby ensuring the success of initiatives like the Great Green Wall and protecting the diverse ecosystems.

Additionally, the minister highlighted the ministry's engagement with the Ministry of Defence and plans to explore models such as Coastal Guards, inspired by successful implementations in other countries, to bolster forest security.

Turning attention to the Ogoni clean-up, Minister Abbas urged participants to brainstorm strategies for increased government commitment, capacity building, effective monitoring and evaluation, public awareness, and international collaboration to address environmental challenges in Ogoniland. The retreat aimed to foster a renewed hope in environmental management through policy embedding and key action prioritization.

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