The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values, Olusola Fatoba, has emphasised that the Nigeria forest security initiative of President Bola Tinubu will enhance security and restore confidence in the agricultural sector.
Fatoba, who said that the initiative would also “empower farmers through enabling increased food production for both local consumption and export and stabilizing food security”, applauded Tinubu for his commitment to the safety of lives and property.
The lawmaker representing Ekiti Central Constituency II, who spoke in Ado Ekiti on Monday, urged all state governors to support the forest security initiative and implement it in their respective states.
Recall that Tinubu established forest guards following incessant attacks on farmers, agrarian areas, and rampant kidnapping cases by criminals who used the forests as hideouts to carry out their heinous activities.
The forest security outfit is to combat criminal elements, bandits, kidnappers and also curb the onslaught of criminal-minded herders attacking farmers in rural areas.
Fatoba also called for maximum support for the newly established security outfit across the states to combat and nip in the bud the scourge of insecurity besieging the nation’s forests.
He lauded the president’s quick intervention in solving security challenges, especially securing the Nigerian forests, saying, “This bold and timely initiative of the President is a significant step towards addressing the pressing challenges of insecurity, especially in our rural and agrarian communities.
“At a time when insecurity has deterred many from engaging in farming and discouraged foreign investment, this move will not only boost food security but also strengthen our economy through agriculture and non-oil financial inflows.
“It sends a strong signal to both citizens and the international community that Nigeria is committed to creating a safe and enabling environment for investment and growth,” he said.
Fatoba applauded the Federal Government for its forward-thinking decision to bring sustainable peace, economic development renewed hope to the nation.
Recall that the Special Adviser, Media and Public Communications to the President, Sunday Dare, in a statement recently, noted that “the Tinubu administration will not surrender an inch of the country’s territory to terrorists, bandits and other criminal gangs operating inside the forests.
“The president directed that the forest guards are to be well-trained and armed to perform their duties, which is essentially to flush out terrorists and criminal gangs hiding inside the forests for criminal activities,” Dare stated