Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, says Nigerian Army will work with National Park Service and Borno Government to revive Sambisa forest to attract tourists into the country.
Buratai said this on Tuesday when the Conservator-General of National Park Service, Ibrahim Goni, paid him an advocacy visit at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
The forest is under the control and management of Borno Government.
The chief of army staff said the forest deserved to be revived as it harboured a large number of wild animals, noting that the army would see the possibility of working with relevant stakeholders to make the forest a tourists’ attraction and training ground for the army.
According to him, the army in partnership with National Park Service and Borno Government will explore the potential in the forest.
The army boss, who assured the National Park Service of support, commiserated with the service over its men who got injured and some murdered in the forest.
Goni said the purpose of the visit was to enlighten the Nigerian Army that the nation’s forests were critical to the economy and security.