Forest Security Services Awaits Presidential Assent, Says CG Dr. Osatimehin
The Commander General of the Nigeria Forest Security Services (NFSS), Dr. Joshua Osatimehin, says the bill establishing the body is currently awaiting presidential assent to bring an end to a nine-year struggle and fully integrate it into the nation’s security architecture.
Dr. Osatimehin who disclosed this during the South East Zonal Sensitization Summit and Show of Strength programme held in Enugu, also inspected a guard of honour, a tradition shared with other security agencies.
He recalled that the NFSS emerged in 2016 from the Community Based Hunters Association, which has been volunteering credible and actionable intelligence to security agencies in combating criminal activities within forest zones.
Dr. Osatimehin noted that Nigeria has 1,129 forest reserves, 17 national parks, among other protected areas, all of which must be secured and preserved.
The Commander General urged the governors of the South East to support the organisation, explaining that he visited other zones for the same sensitization exercise.
He added that NFSS operatives are fully equipped to tackle insecurity in forested areas, employing native intelligence in synergy with other security agencies stressing that their personnel had been trained by all relevant security agencies and are highly professional.
The summit was attended by stakeholders from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, traditional institutions, among others who commended the discipline, unity, resilience, and commitment demonstrated by NFSS personnel over the years.
Some individuals were also recognised as patrons of the NFSS in the zone.
