Abuja: A security and intelligence expert, Dr. John Metchie, has expressed optimism about Nigeria’s efforts to tackle its ongoing insecurity challenges. Metchie commended President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of retired Gen. Christopher Musa as the new Defence Minister, describing it as a pivotal moment for the nation’s territorial security.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Metchie highlighted the collaborative efforts of the Defence Minister, National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu, and the forest guards in enhancing security in the country’s ungoverned regions. He emphasized the role of forest guards, citing their effective use in countries like South Africa, the United States, and Canada, and praised Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State for empowering forest security guards with advanced weaponry and technology to combat criminal elements.
Metchie lauded the introduction of surveillance drones in Enugu State, considering it a strategic move to detect and prevent criminal activities. He noted that Gov. Mbah’s initiative to equip forest guards with modern security tools was a significant and necessary step towards addressing the insurgency in the state’s forested areas.
The security expert acknowledged the effectiveness of the governor’s security measures and predicted positive outcomes in the near future. He suggested that Gov. Mbah had set a precedent for local security in the South-East and encouraged other regional leaders to adopt similar strategies, focusing on the professional development of local security forces like forest guards.
Metchie concluded by advising against the arming of untrained vigilante groups, which could potentially threaten public safety, and urged other South-East governors to follow Enugu’s model in establishing well-equipped forest guard units.