Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has authorized the recruitment of 2,600 youths into the state command of the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS). This decision comes as other state governments are encouraged to adopt the Hunters Service to secure forests against criminals nationwide.
The governor’s approval aims to bolster the capacity of security agencies in the state to combat crimes such as banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities, especially those occurring within forests.
Announcing this development over the weekend, the Ebonyi State Commander of NHFSS, Igwe Larry, stated that the approval demonstrates the state government’s confidence in NHFSS’s ability to effectively contribute to improving security in the country by complementing the efforts of the Police, the Nigerian Army, and other sister agencies.
Commander Igwe Larry, on behalf of the Commander General of NHFSS, Dr. Wole Joshua Osatimehin, expressed gratitude to Governor Nwifuru for the gesture and pledged the Service’s commitment to the security of lives and properties in the state, particularly in combating forest-related crimes.
In response to this development, the Deputy Commander General of NHFSS in charge of Technical Services, Amb John Metchie, urged other state governments to follow Ebonyi’s example and recruit NHFSS personnel to support the work of the Police and other security agencies in fighting crimes.
Metchie thanked Governor Nwifuru and assured that Ebonyi State would soon be free from the challenges of crimes committed within forests.
To ensure immediate compliance with the Governor’s approval, Commander Igwe announced the opening of vacancies for the recruitment of young men and women from Ebonyi State into the NHFSS. Interested candidates are required to have a West African Senior Secondary Certificate or its equivalent with credit passes in five subjects, or possess a National Diploma, National Certificate in Education, First degree, or its equivalent from accredited universities or polytechnics. Applicants will also undergo medical fitness tests conducted by the NHFSS medical team.
Recruitment forms are available at the Ebonyi State Command Headquarters, No. 9 Onitsha street, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. Interested applicants should submit hand-written application letters addressed to “The State Commander, Nigeria Hunter and Forest Security Service, NHFSS, Ebonyi State” to pick up recruitment forms. Completed forms must be submitted in four NHFSS office files at the command headquarters before or on the 7th of March, 2024.
