TheCable

Balarabe Lawal, minister of environment, says the federal government will get enough forces to beef up security around Nigerian forests.

Lawal spoke on Thursday while declaring the ministry’s top management retreat open at the Fifth Chukker Resort, Maraba-Jost Road, Kaduna state.

The theme of the retreat is “Policy Embedment and Prioritization of Key Action for a Renewed Hope in Environmental Management”.

Lawal said the government will deal with miscreants that have taken over some Nigerian forests.

“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 Ngerians,” Lawal said.

“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.”

Lawal added that efforts are being intensified by the federal government to rid the forests of porchers, illegal loggers and other criminals.

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

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