By Moses Okorie
The village head of Dafa community in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Chief Abdullahi Kaja, has called on the Federal Government to engage officers of Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Services, NHFSS, to ensure adequate surveillance of oil pipelines across the nation.
Chief Kaja stated this during the visit of NHFSS, Abuja Command to his palace on Wednesday, saying with what he has seen and heard about the Nigerian Hunters, he has more confidence in them since they transverse all the Nigerian bushes and understand the terrain better than other security outfits.
Abdullahi narrated how he has been instrumental to the fight against pipeline vandalism and oil bunkering in his area, which made the NNPC to appoint him coordinator of Right of Way; all traditional rulers in the FCT where oil pipelines are located.
“Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Services, NHFSS, as far as I am concerned is the best outfit to be entrusted with security of our pipelines, because they penetrate our bushes all over the country. They enter the forest and everywhere that is hidden.
“People work better than any other security in the country. They have been arresting criminals and we are seeing it. Based on my investigation and with what I have seen, I don’t need anyone to tell me more about them.
“The Federal Government should adopt this security outfit and empower them; give them more vehicles and weapons that will enable them to enter bushes and fight the criminals”, he pleaded.
Narrating previous services he had rendered to the society, Chief of Dafa said, “I was a headmaster between 1977 and 78, then I held the position of NUT secretary before I went to school. After school, I got appointment with the Judiciary in 1981.
“I went to Ahmadu Bello University Zaria to study Law, and when I came back, I became Registrar at High Court with our Chief Judge, Justice Dahiru Sale (late). From there, my people called me to serve them as chief of Dafa.
“At that time, I used to see people scooping fuel at the bush path in my community, I asked if there is any filling station here, they said no. I went to the police station and reported. My report reached to the hearing of the pumping station at Abaji and at the area office in Kaduna.
“NNPC selected leaders of all the villages within the pipelines and we formed a forum. I was made their head, and from there, I involved some security so that whenever we see anything going wrong, we would report to the appropriate quarters.
The chief lamented that his community is suffering from the menace of kidnapping. He said on Tuesday, they arrested two kidnap suspects and handed them over to the Nigerian Police Force in Kwali Division while three victims were rescued.
Earlier on that same day, NHFSS visited the palace of Aguma of Gomani, HRH Adamu Saba in Kwali and presented him a certificate of Patronship and Adviser, urging him to join them in making the job of security easier within Kwali Area Council.
The FCT Commander of NHFSS, Mr. Bawa Kyauta, told the traditional ruler that they have come to appreciate him for all his efforts and to seek better collaboration with him.
Among the entourage were the various FCT Deputy Commanders, other officers of the command as well as the Zonal Commander of NHFSS, Mr. Joseph Obadiah.