Dangerous Umuahia forests of criminal get cleaned up ~ read more

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According to Sunday Chukwudiegwu Mmeribe, the head of the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Services, or NHFSS, in Abia State, his group has rid the state’s capital, Umuahia, of criminal elements from its forest.

Speaking about his team’s activities, Mmeribe stated that his members relied on local farmers’ tips to apprehend drug traffickers and other criminal elements who were hiding in Abia’s forest. He also claimed that his members’ actions helped to ensure the security that was observed in Umuahia over the Yuletide holiday.

He added that they worked with security organizations like the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, or NDLEA, and typically got useful information from traditional rulers.

The Forest Guards have been apprehending kidnappers, child trafficking syndicates, and other criminal elements since 2016, he said, and they quickly turn the suspects over to the relevant security organizations within 24 hours.

He also revealed that the Oriendu Ancient Kingdom’s Ikpa forest, which lies between Ubaha and Umuezeoma in Umuahia North LGA, has been thoroughly cleaned of criminals. He noted that farmers, especially women, had previously been harassed or attacked by criminals, which made the villagers afraid to visit their farms.

Commander Mmeribe bemoaned the lack of support and commended Governor Alex Otti’s efforts to combat criminal activity in Abia’s forests and other localities. He also urged his administration to provide them with operational vehicles and other resources to improve their operations.

According to reports, in December 2024, traditional leaders in Umuahia North LGA called for bees and death to kill kidnappers who were working inside the local woodlands.

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