We’ll deal with miscreants in forests – Environment Minister

The Minister of Environment, Alhaji Balarabe Abbas says the Federal Government will get enough forces to deal with various types of miscreants that have taken over some Nigerian forests.

Abbas spoke on Thursday while declaring the ministry’s top management retreat holding at the Fifth Chukker Resort, Maraba-Jos Road, Kaduna State. The retreat’s theme, ” Policy Embedment and Prioritization of Key Action for a Renewed Hope in Environmental Management”.

He lamented, “It is quite unfortunate that most of our forests have been taken over by bandits, kidnappers and other terrorists that have been unleashing mayhem on innocent Nigerians.

”This is an issue that is of much concern to President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government will soon set up enough forces to beef up security in the forests.

”We are liaising with the Military, DSS, Police and other security agencies in this direction so as to remedy the ugly trend.”

Abbas added that efforts were being intensified by the Federal Government to cleanse up the forests of poachers, illegal loggers and other sundry criminals making life miserable in the forests.

According to the minister, the various tree species in the country must be adequately protected, while the Federal Government is also doing everything humanly possible to address all environmental challenges.

Abbas further said that the Federal Government was pondering on introducing Coastal Guards in the country to boost security in Nigeria ‘s coastal waters.

”We will also look at other issues like perennial flooding, coastal and gully erosion and other related environmental challenges plaguing parts of Nigeria,” the minister said.

NAN / Foluke Ibitomi